Rock Jasmine 'Watkinsii'

This robust cultivar of the Himalayan Rock Jasmine is a quintessential alpine for the British enthusiast. It spreads via strawberry-like stolons to form attractive mats of neat, silk-haired rosettes. In spring, it produces clusters of vibrant deep-pink flowers with a distinct yellow eye, which later fades to red, held on upright stems about 10cm tall. It is fully hardy in the UK (H5) but, like many woolly-leaved alpines, it can be sensitive to excessive winter wet which can cause the rosettes to rot. To prevent this, many gardeners top-dress the soil with grit or small stones to keep the foliage away from damp earth. It thrives in a sunny, open position with sharply drained soil. While it is happy in a rockery, it also makes a spectacular specimen for a trough or an alpine house where its intricate foliage and early blooms can be appreciated up close.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Sharply drained, gritty loam.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.