Woodruff

Asperula gussonii is a choice and exquisite alpine plant from the mountains of Sicily, highly prized by enthusiasts for its tight, cushion-forming habit. It forms a very low, dense mound of minute, needle-like, dark green leaves that feel slightly prickly to the touch. In early summer, the cushion is almost entirely smothered in tiny, trumpet-shaped, four-petalled flowers of a delicate pale pink. This species is a high-altitude specialist and can be challenging to grow in the open garden in the UK due to its sensitivity to winter wetness. It is often at its best when grown in an alpine house, a very well-managed trough, or a deep crevice in a tufa rock. It requires exceptionally sharp drainage and a gritty, alkaline growing medium. For those who can provide the right conditions, it is a magnificent specimen that demonstrates the true beauty of high-mountain 'cushion' plants. It is surprisingly hardy regarding temperature.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Extremely well-drained, gritty, limestone soil.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.