Cortusa matthioli
Alpine bells
- Height × spread
- 0.4m × 0.3m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a charming and delicate little plant. This has large rounded, glossy-green, leaves with large toothy edges. The bright-pinkish-purple flowers in spring cluster on long, slender stems, groups of little open conical bells, their heads just pendulous. This plant is found wild in mountainous areas growing in moist places in undergrowth and amongst wet rocks. It enjoys a cool position, preferably lightly shaded with a good soil that never dries out. It reaches around 40cm (16in) height with 30cm (12in) spread.
- Flower colour
- Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.4m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Rock garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Alkaline
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
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.