Soldanella montana

Mountain Snowbells Primulaceae

A particularly charming European snowbell, Soldanella montana is a small evergreen perennial forming neat rosettes of rounded, leathery green leaves, from which slender flowering stems rise in spring carrying nodding, bell-shaped flowers of soft lavender-blue. The flowers are finely fringed at the margins, giving them the delicate, slightly tattered appearance characteristic of the genus. Native to the mountains of central and southeastern Europe, extending from Austria and Germany through the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria to Ukraine, it is primarily a plant of subalpine habitats. 

Unlike the more strictly alpine S. carpatica, S. montana is particularly associated with cool, moist woodland and subalpine vegetation, including spruce forests. Its evergreen foliage makes a handsome little carpet between flowering seasons, while the spring flowers appear just when the garden is beginning to wake up. It is an excellent subject for a shaded rock garden, alpine trough or cool woodland setting, provided the soil remains moist without becoming waterlogged.

In cultivation it appreciates humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, in full sun with protection from strong midday heat or in light shade. Good drainage is particularly important through winter. Given these conditions it is an unfussy little alpine, although it is perhaps best regarded as a plant for the cool end of the garden rather than one to be persuaded into coping with a baking south-facing rockery. The RHS rates it H5. 

Height: 10–30 cm
Spread: 15–30 cm
Flowering: March–May
Hardiness: H5, approximately –15 to –10°C
Growing conditions: Humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil; full sun with some midday shade or partial shade. Protect from excessive winter wet.
Range: Central and southeastern Europe to Ukraine.
Habitat: Subalpine and montane habitats, particularly cool spruce woodland and moist mountain vegetation.
Habit: Evergreen perennial forming compact rosettes of rounded, leathery leaves.
Flowers: Nodding, lavender-blue, bell-shaped and finely fringed, borne on slender stems.
Garden use: Alpine troughs, rock gardens, cool woodland planting and containers.