Description

Arnebia

There are about 25 species of erect to spreading annuals and herbaceous perennials, in this genus.  They occur in woodland and dry, rocky areas, or grassy slopes from Northern Africa to Central Asia and the Mediterranean region.  They produce simple or branching stems that have hairy leaves 1 ¼-6” long.  In summer it bears blue to purple or orange-yellow to cream large flowers in short, coiled usually terminal cymes.

This plant is difficult to grow, best grown in partial shade in moist but sharply to well-drained soil, will tolerate full sun if kept moist.

Prone to aphids and spider mites.

Arnebia pulchra – Arnebia echioides – Echioides longiflorum – Macrotomia Echioides – Prophet Flower – This most adaptable clump forming perennial from the Caucasus, Turkey, and Northern Iran grows 15” tall and a little less in width.  It produces tuft basal lance to oblong, stiffly hairy, light green leaves to 6” long.  In summer it bears terminal cymes of 5 petalled, trumpet-shaped yellow flowers to 1” wide flowers that have a red-brown spot that fades with age.

Zones 6-9