About
Physoplexis comosa, the tufted horned rampion, is a tufted perennial to 8 cm with strongly toothed, ovate or heart-shaped, dark-green leaves. Dense, rounded umbels of curious bottle-shaped, dark-purple-tipped, lilac-pink flowers 2 cm long are produced in late summer. A fascinating and beautiful alpine for a sunny, very well-drained rock garden or alpine house.
About the genus
Physoplexis are tufted herbaceous perennials with simple, basal leaves and terminal clusters of curious, tightly bunched, spiky, bottle-shaped flowers in late summer. Grown in sunny, well-drained rock gardens and alpine houses.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk
Soil pHAlkaline
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Gravel garden, Rock garden
Native toAlps
Care notes
CultivationGrow in gritty, poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun with some midday shade. Protect from winter wet; can be grown in a pot in an alpine house
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division or by rhizome cuttings in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free