Description
Ostrowskia – Giant Bellflower –
There is a sole species of a taprooted perennial in this genus. It occurs in well drained, stony hillsides in Central Asia. It has thick, unbranched stems that hold whorls of 4 or 5 ovate, toothed leaves. It is grown for its racemes of outward facing, 5 to 9 petaled, bell shaped, deep to pale milky blue flowers. Grow in a sunny, herbaceous or mixed border.
Grow in deep, light, moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Dies back soon after flowering, when dormant, protect from moisture, and provide a deep, dry winter mulch.
Prone to slugs.
O. magnifica – This erect, clump forming perennial from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan grows 4-6′ feet tall and 18″ wide. From unbranched stems it carries whorls of 4 or 5 ovate, toothed, hairless, somewhat glaucous leaves, 4-6″ long. In early and mid summer it bears few flowered racemes, rarely more than 4 or 6, outward facing, open bell shaped, silver sheened, pale to deep milky blue or pale purple flowers, 5-6″ across, veined and suffused lilac.
Zones 7-8
