Description
(syn. Strangweia spicata, Bellevalia hyacinthoides)
Small ‘scaled’ bulbs make a basal rosette of narrow leaves below a charming loose spike of 10-12, deep purplish-blue campanulate flowers, each of which has a tiny bent spur and a set of deep, navy-blue anthers. These are, with us anyway, made VERY early in the year, the first week of January is not unusual, under alpine glass, a little later outside but still February.
A Greek endemic species, much more familiar under its old name of Strangweja (yes it is spelled with a “j”) than as a Bellevalia, but whatever the name or botanical fashion, this is never a frequently seen plant.
Sunny spot, good drainage and a loam-based compost or soil for the best results but this is very tolerant and a super little addition to the early spring bulb flora.
