Propagation
Surface sow fresh seed during spring in a well-drained media, and maintain a temperature of 16ş to 18ş C. (61ş to 64ş F). Prick out and pot up when they are large enough to handle.

Take soft tip cuttings during summer with a little of last years growth.

Culture
Care should be taken when planting as the roots are vigorous and can block drains.


Botanic information
Leaf: The narrow lanceolate leaves are up to 12 mm (˝ in) wide and when crushed have a lemon-scent. They are pink to red when young becoming leathery with thickened margins as they mature.

Flower: The cyathiform flowers have a short calyx tube with 5-small deciduous calyx lobes and 5-rounded petals. The numerous crimson stamens are arranged in a whorl and the flowers are arranged in a cylindrical spike that appears from spring to early summer and may flower again during autumn.

Fruit: The rounded capsule is woody and has 3 to 4 cells that contain small brown seeds that are very viable. The capsule is persistent on the shrub for several years. Cultivars are propagated vegetatively to maintain true to type.

General pruning information
To maintain a bushy habit cut back just behind the spent flowers to a node. Be careful not to prune too hard into old wood as this may cause dieback. If an old plant becomes leggy it may be cut back to ground level, where it will rejuvenate. The cultivars have a denser habit.