Essex, United Kingdom

For the last 10 years (maybe more) I have grown a very large variegated buzzy lizzie with pink flowers. The plants do not produce seed and I have taken cuttings, kept them going indoors then planted them out every year. They grow to a height of about 60 centimeters on very thick and upright stems. Each branch has a rosette of large variegated leaves of mint green and white with pink flowers. This plant has been kept the same way for decades by my mother and some relatives but for some reason and with no sign of pests or disease all cuttings failed to produce roots and the growing tips simply withered away. This plant was originally a cutting taken from an agricultural college 25 years ago and I have never seen it for sale anywhere. Any idea why we all failed to get successful cuttings this year? and also if it might be available somewhere.

• 1 Nov, 2010