About

This perennial plant develops dense cushions made up of compact rosettes featuring small, thick, awl-like leaves. In late spring, it produces cupped flowers that measure approximately 8 mm across, arranged in umbels atop stems reaching about 5 cm in height.

About the genus

Androsace comprises annuals, biennials, or evergreen perennials that create mat-like or dense cushion formations. The flowers, which are typically salver-shaped, can appear individually or in clusters known as umbels.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Exposed
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Alpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Matforming
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
Up to 10 cm
Spread
0-0.1 metre
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native to
Pyrenees

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained, gritty soil in a trough in full sun, top dress with grit
Pruning
Remove dead rosettes
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in an open frame as soon as ripe or in autumn. Propagate by rooting single rosettes as cuttings in early to midsummer. Keep moist; water from below to avoid wettng the rosettes
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to fungal diseases in damp conditions