Nathalie's Ramonda

Ramonda nathaliae is a rare and beautiful 'resurrection plant' from the mountains of the Balkans. Similar to its relative Ramonda myconi, it forms flat, ground-hugging rosettes of crinkled, dark green, hairy leaves. In spring, it produces short stems bearing delicate, four-lobed (rarely five) flowers of a pale violet-blue with a prominent orange-yellow centre. In nature, it grows on shaded, vertical limestone cliffs, and its foliage can shrivel and appear dead during droughts, only to 'resurrect' within hours of rain. In the UK garden, it must be planted in a similar fashion—typically in a north-facing vertical crevice or between the stones of a cool, shaded wall. It requires moist but well-drained, alkaline soil and absolute protection from direct midday sun. It is extremely hardy (H7) but very specific in its needs. When its requirements are met, it is one of the most enchanting and botanically fascinating plants one can grow in a rock garden.

Sun: Full shade to partial shade.

Soil: Cool, moist, well-drained alkaline soil.

Hardiness: H7结.

Flowering: May结, Jun竭.