Erinus alpinus
Alpine balsam, Liver balm
- Height × spread
- 0.15m × 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This pretty hummock forming plant has flower stems that rise from small rosettes. The leaves, often rather spoon shaped, are broader at the outer end, dark green and hairy. Little starry flowers are held along the length of the flowering stems, and in clusters at the top. The flowers have five petals, each having a notch at their centre. The flowers are generally rose purple, and there are white, and strong pink varieties. This plant which flowers in late spring and early summer is suitable for rock crevices or raised beds. It prefers well drained soil and sunshine though it will tolerate part shade. It stands around 15cm in height often with a spread of 30cm (12in).
- Flower colour
- Purple, Red, Rose
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.15m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Rock garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
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 · Planting
Remove offsets to create new plants
Offsets are small plants or shoots that develop around the parent plant. They should have developed a root system of their own before they are detached. They can be planted directly, or grown in pots if so small they could be 'lost' in the garden.
Offsets may be used to replace an aged parent plant, to extend or establish a colony, or can be given away or sold.