This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: June to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  One of the most popular varieties of pink, and also hailed as one of the longest flowering. 'Gran's Favourite' is a 'laced' variety, which means the scented flowers are made up of two colours - with a contrasting centre and edge to the petals. This one has ruffled white petals with a splotch of deep purple-red in the centre and edge. It is sturdy and compact, and is best planted towards the front of a perennial border or rock garden - or in a pot.
  
  
• Garden care: Incorporate lots of well-rotted manure or garden compost into the planting hole. Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring and deadhead to prolong flowering.
• Try taking cuttings in July and early August. Fill a small seed tray with coarse horticultural sand and water it well. Take the cuttings in the cool of the day, choosing non-flowering side shoots about two inches (5cm) in length. If there are flower buds, pick them off. Trim the cuttings below a node (where the leaf joint is) and remove or reduce any large leaves to lessen transpiration. Plunge them into the sand so that two-thirds of the cutting is submerged and place the tray in a cool, shady position for several weeks. Then pot up individually into compost, such as John Innes no 1. You can also leave your cuttings in situ until next spring, although they will need protection from frost.