Moltkia petraea –

Description

Moltkia – There are about 6 species of often short lived perennial or small shrubs, some evergreen, in this genus. They occur in alkaline soil in rock crevices or open hillsides from Northern Italy to Northern Greece to Southwestern Asia. They have alternate, lance shaped, hairy, mid or dark green leaves. From late spring to summer it bears pendulous 5 petalled, tubular shaped, blue, purple, or sometimes yellow flowers are held in short, one sided, terminal cymes. Grow in a rock garden, or at the front of a mixed or shrub border. Grow in poor, well drained, alkaline, gritty soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter moisture, and shelter from cold, drying winds. May be invasive. Reasonable drought tolerant once established. M. petraea – This semi evergreen, dwarf shrub found from the Balkans to Central Greece grows 8-16″ tall and wide. From fine white bristled stems it carries lance shaped, enrolled leaves, to 2″ long, dark green above and white beneath. In late spring and summer it bears a profusion of pink purple buds open to funnel shaped, deep blue or violet blue flowers, to ½” long, with prominent stamens, held in compact cymes. Zones 7-9