Haberlea

A relative of the Ramonda, this is a choice alpine for a cool, north-facing crevice or a shaded rock garden—one of the few alpines that genuinely prefers shade. It forms rosettes of dark green, leathery, and slightly hairy leaves that are remarkably resilient. In late spring and early summer, it produces delicate, tubular flowers of a pale lilac-purple with yellow spots in the throat, resembling a small Streptocarpus. It is fully hardy (H5) but its main requirement is a position that never dries out completely and is protected from the midday sun. In nature, it often grows on vertical rock faces where water trickles down, and it can survive periods of drought by curling its leaves and turning brown, only to 'resurrect' almost instantly when rain returns. It is a slow-growing but long-lived plant that brings a touch of Balkan mountain mystery to a shaded corner of the UK garden.

Sun: Full shade to partial shade.

Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.