Dear All; B. striata is a fairly common garden plant here. It is available at most garden centers and a no-brainer. I've had clumps in full sun and full shade for years. Typical purple or white flowers, white edge-foliage and one named sort with a bright purple lip (name evades me). It is subject to late spring frosts and may loose a few flowers, but easy almost anywhere (all clay soils). It persists and multiplies slowly. It is very common in parts of China and I have seen small children collect flowers along the road side in Sichuan. I recall they just pull up the flower stem with a leaf or two attached. When they have their arms full they go to market. Of course in Sichuan it gets about 4 times taller than it does here. I have tried a few other species and hybrids -all with 'yellow' flowers - and none survive, but I believe B. striata is the most northern species. There's around 10 sp. in the genus and they should all do well in milder climates. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +