Sometimes sold as Bellevalia pycnantha, the B.paradoxa is a superb and highly unusual little plant with dark, navy blue flowers and a yellow-white rim. The buds are initially tightly packed together on top of the flower spike, making a conical shape, and slowly start opening from the bottom up. Make sure it is planted in groups to the front of a border where it can be seen clearly. Plant the bulbs 10 cm deep in the autumn in free-draining soil. They like to be on the dry side over summer. Beware of slugs attacking the leaves.