<p>{Family: Saxifragaceae} Francoa are long flowering, old fashioned plants that grow very well given the correct environment. The flowers grow in long wands with each one having 5 petals, and are bell-shaped, almost white, pale pink to red in colour. The raceme (spike) can be 2-3ft tall, and flowers throughout the summer and into autumn. Rhizomatous and clump-forming with hairy, lobed leaves, 6-12in (15-30cm) long, they have wavy edges and are mostly evergreen.</p><p>Grow in full sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained, fertile soil. These plants do not do well in areas of hot summers. They can be overwintered in a greenhouse and forced for winter and spring flowering. The clumps can be divided in spring, or sow seeds in spring or autumn.</p><p>All species of this genus are evergreen and come from Chile. Their flowers are used in floral arrangements and are mostly frost hardy. Francoa was named for Francisco Franco, a 16th Century Spanish doctor and patron on botany.</p>
