Heart-leaved Globe Daisy

Native to the mountains of Southern and Central Europe, Globularia cordifolia is a delightful prostrate evergreen sub-shrub that forms dense, woody mats. The foliage consists of small, leathery, dark green hearts-shaped leaves. In early summer, it produces charming, fluffy, spherical flower heads of a soft lavender-blue, held just above the foliage on short stems. This alpine is particularly useful for its ability to knit together rocks and suppress small weeds. It requires a very well-drained, preferably lime-rich soil and a position in full sun to flower well. It is an excellent choice for a trough, a crevice garden, or the edge of a raised bed. While slow-growing, it is long-lived and very hardy across the UK. It avoids the 'melting' issue some alpines face in wet winters if the drainage is sufficient, making it a reliable performer for the patient gardener.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, alkaline loam or scree.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.