Synthyris stellata –

Description

Synthyris – There are about 14 tufted, low growing usually rhizomatous perennials in this genus. They are found naturally occurring in woodlands in Western and Central North America. They produce radical, heart shaped, kidney shaped, or pinnatifid leaves. Unbranched, leafy, upright stems produce narrow,, upright, spike like racemes of small, tubular to bell shaped, violet to blue, or rarely pink or white flowers, mainly in spring. Grow in a woodland or rock garden, or at the front of a shady, herbaceous border. Grow in fertile, moist but well drained, humus rich soil in partial or deep shade. Divide in early spring when growth begins. Prone to slugs and snails. S. stellata – This clump forming, herbaceous perennial from Washington and Oregon grows 6″ tall and 10″ wide. It produces rounded heart shaped, hairy, dark green leaves, to 2″ across, deeply and doubly toothed. From spring to early summer, bears dense, spike like racemes, 3-6″ long, of bell shaped, violet-blue flowers, to 1/4″’ long, with conspicuous, sharply toothed bracts. Zones 7-9