Description
Ourisia –
There are about 25 species of low growing, mainly rhizomatous, evergreen or semi evergreen perennials in this genus. They occur in alpine regions of Tasmania, New Zealand, SouthAmerica and Antarctica. They have mostly radical leaves, which are usually conspicuously veined, but are grown for their usually short tubed flowers, each with 5 spreading lobes, the 3 lower larger than the upper 2. The flowers are held singly or in whorls or racemes on leafless stems. Ourisia grow best in cool, moist climates, and are suitable for a shady rock garden or wall.
Grow in reliably moist, fertile, humus rich soil in partial shade. Rhizomatous species quickly exhaust soil nutrients, so divide and replant when they begin to deteriorate. Divide in spring.
Prone to slugs and snails.
O. microphylla – This cushion forming, semi evergreen perennial from Chile and Argentina grows 2″ tall and 6″ wide. From slender stems it carries heath-like, pale green leaves, to 1/16″ long, pressed closely to the stems. In late spring and early summer it bears a profusion of solitary, small, tubular, pale pink flowers, ½” across, with white centers.
Zones 7-9
