Chamaebuxus alpestris 'Grandiflora'

RHS Plant Profile

large-flowered box-leaved milkwort

John Fielding

Synonyms

Chamaebuxus alpestris 'Grandiflora', Polygala chamaebuxus 'Purpurea', Polygala chamaebuxus 'Rhodoptera', Polygala chamaebuxus var. grandiflora, Polygala chamaebuxus var. purpurea, Polygala chamaebuxus var. rhodoptera, Polygala grandiflora, Polygaloides chamaebuxus 'Grandiflora', Polygaloides chamaebuxus 'Purpurea', Polygaloides chamaebuxus 'Rhodoptera'

Shrubs

A dwarf evergreen shrub to 10cm high, with small, dark green, ovate leaves and purple and yellow flowers 12mm in length from late spring

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

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

Chalk Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or West–facing or South–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: A genus of six species of small shrubs or subshrubs; five from the Mediterranean and Central Europe and one from eastern North America. They have small, leathery leaves and fragrant, pea-like white, pink or purple flowers
Name Status: Synonym
Plant Range: Alps, Carpathians

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in rock or woodland garden settings, in moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed and softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Gravel garden
Rock garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free