Description
This has between 3 and 5 leaves which sit in a basal rosette more or less on the soil surface. At 3-4 cm across, these are broad for the genus, though they are very decorative and edged with fine saw-toothing.
The flower spike bears up to 25 blooms, each held on a purplish stalk which varies from 1 cm to 2 cm depending on age. Each bears a tubular flower in which the tube is purple, whilst the spreading lobes are white with some fine green veining. As each flower ages, so the amount of white in each increases. The zone of open flowers moves slowly up the spike as the whole matures and later develops into a conical seed spike.
Easy in a sunny, well-drained spot. It makes size best in humus-rich soils but flowers best when it is hotter and drier, not over-fussed or coddled.
This stock has been raised from Jim and Jenny Archibald seed, JJA.16847
Native to E. Turkey, Iran and the Caucasus in mountains and steppes.
