Androsace laevigata
cliff dwarf primrose
A cushion-forming, evergreen perennial to a height of 5cm, with dense rosettes of small, hairy, dark grey-green leaves. Small clusters up to 2cm across, of deep pink flowers, are produced on very short stems in early summer
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, Alkaline, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted
- Genus
Androsace can be annuals, biennials or evergreen perennials forming mats or compact cushions, with salver-shaped flowers which may be solitary or in umbels
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Western N America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but gritty well-drained soil in sun, in a rock garden, scree bed, or trough, in vertical crevices in rock-work or walls, or in an alpine house, where it can be protected from winter wet, in a mixture of sharp sand and leaf mould
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in an open cold frame as soon as ripe or in autumn. Root single rosettes as cuttings in early to midsummer. Keep moist but water from below to avoid wetting the rosettes
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Gravel garden
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free. May be susceptible to aphids under glass
Diseases
May be susceptible to fungal diseases in damp conditons
Get involved
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