Description
Moltkia –
There are about 6 species of often short lived perennial or small shrubs, some evergreen, in this genus. They occur in alkaline soil in rock crevices or open hillsides from Northern Italy to Northern Greece to Southwestern Asia. They have alternate, lance shaped, hairy, mid or dark green leaves. From late spring to summer it bears pendulous 5 petalled, tubular shaped, blue, purple, or sometimes yellow flowers are held in short, one sided, terminal cymes. Grow in a rock garden, or at the front of a mixed or shrub border.
Grow in poor, well drained, alkaline, gritty soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter moisture, and shelter from cold, drying winds. May be invasive. Reasonable drought tolerant once established.
M. doerfleri – Lithospermum doerfleri – This suckering herbaceous, woody based perennial from Northeastern Albania grows 12-20″ tall and wide. From wiry, upright stems it carries lance shaped, mid green leaves, to 2″ long. From late spring to mid summer it bears cymes of drooping, narrowly tubular, deep purple flowers, to 1″ long. Can be invasive.
Zones 7-9
