Alpine Snowbell

Alpine Snowbell - Soldanella alpina.
In nature, it is found in the mountains of Western Europe.
A low-growing plant 6-10 cm high. It grows up to 20 cm in width. The leaves are rounded, leathery, with an almost smooth edge. The flowers are lilac-colored, bell-shaped, with ciliated petals, 2-3 on small peduncles. It blooms at the end of April and blooms for about 20 days. It does not bloom very abundantly.
Location: prefers lighted or slightly shaded places. Holes on a rocky hill are most suitable, since the plants do not tolerate direct sunlight.
Soil: requires areas with well-drained, slightly acidic soil, with the obligatory addition of compost, spruce needles, and limestone rubble. The plants do not tolerate stagnant water.
Care: in the spring, the plants need watering. Mulching is advisable to avoid overheating. The plants are winter-hardy without shelter.
Propagation: by seeds and vegetatively. Seeds should be sown before winter. Cold stratification is required for spring sowing. Seedlings are small, capricious and develop slowly. Flowering occurs 2-3 years after sowing. Vegetatively propagated by dividing the bush in August-September. The planting distance is 20-25 cm. It tolerates transplantation and division easily.
Use: suitable for rock gardens, where stones emphasize the delicacy of soldanella flowers and the graceful beauty of the leaves.

For the rockgarden; cushion plant; 
IV-V, Z4-8, 10 cm;
light blue.

Alpine Snowbell.