Deinanthe caerulea –

Description

Deinanthe – There are 2 species of perennials, in this genus. Deianthe is Greek for ‘wondrous flower’. They occur in moist, shady woodland in Central China and Japan. They have short rhizomes and upright stems. The opposite hydrangea like leaves are ovate or obovate to elliptic, finely toothed, crinkled, hairy, slightly glossy, and mid to dark green. In mid and late summer it bears few terminal panicles of showy, pendent, cup shaped, waxy, fertile flowers, with 5 fleshy rounded petals and numerous stamens, and a few sterile outer flowers without petals. Individual flowers are white, blue, or purple. Their slowly spreading mats of foliage and flowers, are suitable for a rock garden or alpine house. Grow in moist but well drained, acidic soil in partial shade. Will not tolerate heat or drought. Divide in early spring but may be slow to reestablish. Prone to slugs. D. caerulea – This clump forming, rhizomatous perennial from Central China grows 18″ tall and wide.   It usually has 2 pairs of ovate to elliptic, sharp pointed, prominent veined, serrated edged, mid to dark green leaves, to 6″ long. It bears nodding, cup shaped, mauve to violet-blue flowers, 3/4-1 ½” across, with gray-blue or blue stamens. Zones 5-9