Edraianthus graminifolius – Grassy Bells –

Description

Edraianthus – Grassy Bells – There are about 24 species of generally short lived, herbaceous and evergreen, low growing perennials, closely allied to, an sometimes included in Wahlenbergia, in this genus. They occur in well drained, sunny habitats, sometimes in mountainous areas, from the Mediterranean region to the Caucasus. Delicate, starry or bell shaped, blue- violet or white flowers, surrounded by leafy bracts, are held singly or in terminal heads in summer. The tufted, grass like leaves usually arise from a central rootstock, some are densely covered with silver hairs, which gives them an attractive sheen, and in winter, plants are often reduced to a small, resting bud, which is just visible on each rootstock. Suitable for a rock garden, scree bed, trough, or dry wall. Grow in light, sharply drained, humus rich preferably alkaline soil in full sun. Will tolerate midday shade in hotter areas. Resting buds are sensitive to excessive winter moisture. Prone to spider mites, aphids, and slugs and snails. E. graminifolius – This tufted, herbaceous or semi evergreen perennial from the Balkans and Central and Southern Italy grows 6″ tall and wide. It produces rosettes of linear to narrowly spoon shaped, mid green leaves, to 1 ½” long, downy and sometimes bristly above. In early and mid summer atop of erect stems to 3″ long, they carry spherical heads of upturned, bell shaped, deep purple flowers, 1″ long, each with a whorl of conspicuous, ovate, long pointed bracts. Zones 3-7