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Alpine Rockery

Soldanella montana

mountain tassel

An evergreen perennial with leathery, rounded green leaves. In early spring, nodding bell-shaped lavender-blue flowers appear on stems 30cm in height

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Primulaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Soldanella are small, evergreen perennials with rosettes of rounded leaves, and umbels of nodding, fringed purple or white bell-shaped flowers
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Central & SW Alps, Pyrenees

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich moist but well-drained soil in full sun with some midday shade. Suitable for rock garden or alpine house. Protect from excessive winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Divide in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Rock garden
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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