Asperula gussonei

RHS Plant Profile

alpine woodruff

Synonyms

Asperula suberosa

Alpine Rockery

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A mat-forming evergreen alpine with a woody base growing to a height of 5cm. Leaves are blue-green and narrow, oblong in shape. Clusters of small trumpet-shaped deep pink flowers appear in late spring and early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Sand, Loam, Chalk

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam Chalk

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Neutral or Acid or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or North–facing or East–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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rubiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Asperula can be annuals, evergreen or deciduous perennials, with small, paired or whorled leaves and terminal clusters of small, funnel-shaped flowers in spring or summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Sicily

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in gritty, well-drained compost in an alpine house, scree bed or rock garden, with protection from winter wet. Full sun or partial shade is ideal

Propagation

Propagate by seed in autumn or root softwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Rock garden
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free