Description
Morina – Acanthocalyx –
There are about5 species of evergreen perennials in this genus. They occur on open rocky and grassy slopes and in open woodland in Eastern Europe, Turkey to Central Asia, the Himalayas and Southwestern China. They have rosettes of prickly, lance shaped, glossy, mid to dark green leaves with wavy edges, the leaves become smaller near the tops of the stems. Whorled, spiny bracts are held immediately below spike of tubular, red, pink, white, or yellow flowers, held in whorled clusters. Each flower has a long perianth tube and a wide, 2 lipped mouth. Grow in a mixed or herbaceous border, M. persica is suitable for a rock garden. The seed heads are useful for dried flower arrangements.
Grow in poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained soil enriched with compost in full sun. Protect from winter moisture.
Prone to slugs and rot.
M. longifolia – Whorlflower – This rosette forming perennial is the most commonly grown species and is from the Himalayas and grows 3-4′ feet tall and 12″ wide. It produces linear to oblong, pinnatifid, aromatic, glossy green basal leaves, to 10″ long, with sharp marginal spines. In mid summer, tiered, whorled cluster of waxy white flowers, 1 1/4″ long, are held in spikes, flowers become rose-pink then red after fertilization and have bronze tinged spiny bracts.
Zones 6-9
