It is a distinctly northern plant in its distribution, growing around the arctic circle, and in the high mountains further south. It probably requires harsher winters than the UK can provide.

In 1981 I was given some seed by John Watkins that he had collected in 1979 near Munich. It germinated easily with some bottom heat, and grew on well through the summer, but didn't survive the winter, so I am a little confused about why.

The photograph was taken in the French Pyrenees at the end of June, 1981, where it was growing in small quantities at high altitudes.