I started some last year in January and they were gorgeous. I ended up putting 3 plants in a wood barrel with other purple plants. The seeds were 3 years old. I used a heat mat during germination time. Careful not to get water on the foliage. From my notes: sowed them Jan 11/13, germinated Jan 17/13. Dwarf Benary's Marine packaged 2010.
Apr 6 (germinated Jan 17)
Apr 27
July 8
Aug 11
Aug 25
Seed Starting January 2013
Also, seeds were from William Dam Seeds
http://www.damseeds.com