Phuopsis stylosa
Caucasian crosswort
Also known as Crucianella stylosa
- Height × spread
- 0.2m × 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A plant of some charm with feathery looking upright stems with whorls of long slim pointed leaves along their lengths. At the top, during June and July, there are rounded heads of lilac pink flowers. The heads are individually textured and attractive. This plant looks beautiful when grown en masse. The flowers are fragrant, especially noticeable after rain. The nature of that fragrance is disputed, some finding it appealing and reminiscent of vanilla, while others call it 'foxy garlic'. Its scent is a useful discussion point and shouldn't be a deterrent as many of us can't smell anything at all.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.2m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Summer - late · Planting
Trim foliage
Trim foliage to keep the plant looking neat.