Two Alpine Gems

A this time of year two of my favourite alpines come into their own. It's easier to achieve the right growing conditions by planting them in a trough. They both need roughly the same growing conditions -  humus rich, well drained soil in a shady cool position. Our soil is  too alkaline and these diminututive plants would get swamped by their neighbours if planted in the border.

The first of the two to flower is Soldanella montana.  I first came across this delightful  plant in Jack Drake's famous alpine nursery at Inshriach in the Highlands.

The Soldana montana  a member of the Primula family is also known as the mountain snowbell . It is a native to the mountains of southern Europe.

It is a mound-forming perennial with toothed, bright green leaves that are violet beneath.It has pendent, bell-shaped, lavender/blue flowers with fringed petals bloom in spring.

Soldana  montana in a more natural habitat in Cluny Gardens

Sharing the trough and getting a bit too big for it's space is Cortusa matthioli pekinensis.

This clump-forming perennial is very closely related to the Primula. The decorative hairy leaves are deeply lobed. It has erect stems with groups of nodding, magenta flowers in late spring and summer.

 Two dainty alpines well worth growing in a trough.