Bellevalia Sarmatica

Bellevalia sarmatica, now generally included within Bellevalia speciosa, is a striking steppe bulb with several linear leaves and a tall ovoid to conical flower spike. Dozens of small bell-shaped blooms open dusky violet and age through grey-brown, while the lower flower stalks lengthen and spread horizontally as seed develops, producing a broad architectural head. The plant occurs in open limestone grassland from eastern Europe towards western Asia and is rare in parts of its range. It is a rewarding species for a sunny bulb bed, thriving in cold winters, dry summers and sharply drained soil.