it wouldn't do them any harm but the self sown ones in my garden are only just germinating so plenty of time for them yet.

Agree, another time sow direct in the ground. They often self seed too.

Thankyou SBG and Yorksclass. I bought these online but I'm hoping that they will self-seed around the garden. After what you said Yorks, I will sow some directly too. I've always wanted them but rooted bits from friends haven't taken. So looking forward to their happy blooms this year.

They need a warm sunny place - just like California.

oh they will definitely self seed if you don't dead head them.

I grew some from seed 18 yrs ago and still have them appearing. I did it to amuse the girls who were convinced [by me] that the sepal casing that they found on the soil were pixies hats dropped during a big midnight party.

The sooner you put them where you want them, the better. The roots are notorious for being very fragile, and if the tap root breaks at all, it dies; which may be why you haven't had success in the past.

This makes me nostalgic. When I was very small our next door neighbour grew them and I was allowed to go into his garden and "take the nightcaps off" when they were ready. You wouldn't believe how I loved doing this and some of the pleasure still lingers now...( sorry - off topic again...)

exactly Yorks but it is these nostalgic moments that makes gardens so personal.

Nightcaps Sue? What is that? lol!