Petrorhagia illyrica
Illyrian pink
A charming choice for sunny spots, this low-growing perennial creates a soft, spreading carpet of fine, grass-like foliage that blends beautifully into rockeries, gravel gardens and along the edges of paths.
From early summer well into autumn, Petrorhagia illyrica produces a succession of delicate, star-shaped flowers in shades of white to pale pink, providing weeks of colour rather than one fleeting display. Its neat, cushion-forming habit is perfect for softening hard landscaping, spilling gently between stones or brightening containers.
Thriving in full sun and poorer, free-draining soils, it is wonderfully drought tolerant once established and is loved by bees and other pollinators. In milder winters, it tends to retain its foliage.
From early summer well into autumn, Petrorhagia illyrica produces a succession of delicate, star-shaped flowers in shades of white to pale pink, providing weeks of colour rather than one fleeting display. Its neat, cushion-forming habit is perfect for softening hard landscaping, spilling gently between stones or brightening containers.
Thriving in full sun and poorer, free-draining soils, it is wonderfully drought tolerant once established and is loved by bees and other pollinators. In milder winters, it tends to retain its foliage.
How to care for Petrorhagia illyrica:
Plant in a sunny position with free-draining soil, as it thrives in dry conditions and dislikes sitting in wet, winter ground conditions. If your soil is heavy, improve drainage by adding grit or plant in a raised bed, rockery or gravel garden. Water regularly during its first growing season to help it establish, then only during prolonged dry spells, as established plants are drought tolerant.
Avoid rich soils or excessive feeding, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers. After the first flush of blooms, trim the plant back to around 10cm (4in) to promote fresh growth and a second display later in the season. Remove any dead foliage in spring to keep the plant looking tidy and healthy.
Avoid rich soils or excessive feeding, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers. After the first flush of blooms, trim the plant back to around 10cm (4in) to promote fresh growth and a second display later in the season. Remove any dead foliage in spring to keep the plant looking tidy and healthy.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.3m
Eventual spread:
0.3m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
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This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
