Aethionema Oppositifolium

Now placed botanically as Noccaea oppositifolia, this rare Lebanese mountain subshrub forms a low evergreen mat of rounded, opposite blue-green leaves. Short spring stems carry clusters of delicate lavender-pink flowers, producing a refined display without obscuring the attractive foliage. Its creeping, compact outline is ideal for a stone trough, raised alpine bed or sunny crevice, where it can spread gently over gravel. Adapted to exposed, dry mountain ground, it performs best with low fertility, abundant light and very sharp drainage, especially during wet British winters.