Soldanella alpina

RHS Plant Profile
alpine snowbell

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alpine snowbell Dorling Kindersley 2003
alpine snowbell RHS
alpine snowbell RHS

Other common names

alpine soldanella, blue moonwort, jewel of the Alps

Alpine Rockery
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A perennial with leathery, rounded leaves and umbels of nodding purple to violet flowers 1.5cm in length in early spring

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Primulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Soldanella are small, evergreen perennials with rosettes of rounded leaves, and umbels of nodding, fringed purple or white bell-shaped flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Pyrenees & Alps

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich moist but well-drained soil in full sun with some midday shade. Suitable for rock garden or alpine house. Protect from excessive winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Rock garden
  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free