Plant Name

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Androsace villosa

Androsace is the second largest genus in the Primulaceae, and is widely cultivated by horticulturists for its dense cushions covered in white or pink flowers. It is a predominantly Arctic-alpine genus with many species in the mountains of central Asia, the Caucasus, and the southern and central European mountain systems, particularly the Alps and the Pyrenees.

Common Name

Woolly Rock-jasmine

Soil

Sharply drained sandy soil in vertical crevices in rock work or a scree bed

Sun Aspect

Full Sun

Soil Moisture

Moist

Plant Type / Alpine/Alpine

Evergreen Perennial/ Alpine

Height x Spread in feet

6 inches x 9 inches

Evergreen Foliage

Hairy, mid-green foliage in rosettes, ideally with winter rain protection using a sheet of glass.

Flower Colour in Month(s). Seed

Umbels of 5-petalled White flowers fading to pink with yellow or red 'eyes' in March-May

Comment

Native from Europe and Asia, in limestone mountains generally above 1500 metres, on rocky slopes sometimes with grasses. "A plant of wide range, from the Alps and Pyrenees eastward to Kashmir and the Himalayas, where it grows at elevations of 12,000 to 17,000 feet. The Western form is dwarf, with neat rosettes of shaggy leaves so thickly set with white or pale pink flowers that for the time the plant lies hidden. The Indian variety is of larger growth and blooms later, its leaves silvery with long, white hairs, and loose heads of flowers with a raised ring of darker colour at the centre. Plant firmly in good, free soil, with lime rubble and sandstone fragments to keep it well drained. The downy leaves need shields of glass in winter. " from Love to Know.

The easy to grow species are ideal for the rock garden and raised bed (Rock Garden FAQS). High alpine species need vertical crevices in rock work, a dry wall or scree bed conditions. Some also grow well in holes drilled in tufa rock.
Androsaces in cultivation enjoy small fissures between stones, firmly packed with pure sandy peat, or very sandy or gritty loam, not less than 15 inches deep. They should be so placed that no wet can gather or lie about them, and so planted in between stones that, once well rooted into the deep earth—all the better if mingled with pieces of broken sandstone—they never suffer from drought. It is easy to arrange rocks and soils so that, once the mass below is thoroughly moistened, ordinary drought has little effect.
Many species make excellent, if demanding pot plants for the alpine house. All species need sharply drained soil and a site in full sun or part shade. Cushion-forming species in the alpine house need good ventilation and very litle water in winter. Any dead shoots must be removed as soon as possible and there is a lot to be said for the routine application of a fungicide. Aphids can be a serious problem (hidden in the heart of the cushion) and a systemic insecticide is required.

Androsace World aims to exhibit a photograph of every known species of Androsace.

The Androsace Group is a specialist group of the Alpine Garden Society and aims to circulate information on the cultivation and naming of androsaces and on their ecology and status in the wild. It also aims to investigate the problems of preserving species and hybrids in cultivation and to take what steps it can to ensure such preservation. Publications dealing with Androsace from the Androsace Group, Scottish Rock Garden Group and the Alpine Garden Society.

Available from Kevock Garden Plants .

Companions

Alpine House Cultivation

This plant has a wide distribution and many forms abound on most mountainous ranges of Europe, Asia and North America. The typical plant bears loose rosettes, in tufts, the leaves are narrow, crowded, densely covered with shaggy woolly silvery-grey hairs. Flowers are on short slender stems in clusters and fragrant. Compost A (Equal parts of loam, leafmould and sand. This is a suitable mixture for plants which require a light, open, porous soil with good drainage. A good mixture for troughs in a sheltered position in part shade) is suitable over faultless drainage. They need

• a sufficiency of water in spring and summer with full sun conditions,
• from September to April give only enough water to keep the compost dry but not from becoming arid in winter.