Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Veronica spicata 'Corymbosa'

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 9″. Many-Spiked Speedwell. Many dense spikes of deep blue, star-shaped flowers complement the dark green, toothed foliage. A long bloomer. Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Sedum middendorfianum

Family: (Crassulaceae)

(P) to 8″.  Chinese Mountain Stonecrop.  East Siberia to North China.  A non-stop performer in all seasons.  Narrow, spathulate, leathery, deep green leaves with toothed tips whorl around showy red stems.  In early summer, the dense, semi-evergreen mats support multitudes of five-petalled, bright flowers ranging in colour from yellow to fiery orange-red.  Seedheads dry to a beautiful deep maroon, persisting for the remainder of the season, atop the spectacular autumn foliage show in brilliant shades of red.  One of our favourite, most reliable plants for the well-drained, full-sun garden.  4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Scabiosa lucida

Family: (Caprifoliaceae)

(P) to 15″. A petite Pincushion Flower. Central Europe. In late spring, light blue, dense heads are surrounded by bristly, involucral bracts. Deep green, pinnatifid foliage forms a basal rosette. Perfect for the rock garden. Self-sows. Well-drained soil. Sun. 3 & T2 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Saxifraga exarata subsp. moschata

Family: (Saxifragaceae)

(P) foliage to 6″, flowers to 12″. Mossy Saxifrage.  Mountains of Central and South Europe, Caucasus.  Undulating hummocks of mossy, dense, three-cleft leaves. Wiry stems with sprays of creamy white flowers.  An incredible sight on our Rock Ledge in May . Moist soil.  Sun.  5 & 7 for 4 weeks then T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Saxifraga crustata var. vochinensis

Family: (Saxifragaceae)

(P) to 6″. East Alps, North and Central Balkans. Forms a tight bun of minute foliage encrusted with white lime deposits. Panicles of tiny, white flowers which occasionally have purple markings at their base, are held on four-inch stems. A “must” for the rock garden. Sun/partial shade. 5 & 7 for 4 weeks then T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Saponaria pamphylica

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(P) to 12″. Turkey. Robust, blue-grey, glaucous foliage. Terminal clusters of very open, deep pink flowers with five, split-tipped petals. Long summer bloomer. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Ramonda myconi

Family: (Gesneriaceae)

(P) to 4″. A shade-lover from the Pyrenees. Deep green, broad, very crinkled, flat rosette. Pale violet, five-petalled flowers with yellow stamens hang from four-inch, slender stems. Likes to grow on north-facing vertical cliffs or in a cool crevice. 4 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Platycodon grandiflorus 'Nanus'

Family: (Campanulaceae)

(P) to 4″.  China, Japan.  An enchanting, dwarf form of the Balloon Flower.  Large, inflated, bell-shaped, violet-blue flowers on short, slender stems.  A perfect choice for the alpine trough or smaller rock garden.  Blooms mid to late summer.  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Plantago cynops

Family: (Plantaginaceae)

(P) to 12″. Shrubby Plantain. Central and South Europe. Tough shrublet with evergreen, grey, needle-like leaves. White tinged yellow, ovoid, spiky flowers. Summer. A real curiosity. Sun. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Lychnis viscaria

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(P) to 12″. Alpine Catchfly. British native. Low, dark, spathulate foliage. Compact clusters of deeply notched, dark rose-pink, five-petalled flowers. A “show-stopper” in June. Sun. 4 & T2