Phyteuma scheuchzeri is an unusual, easy to grow rock garden plant, with a bizarre flower. It is a close relative of the bellflower but does not look anything like it. I think the flowers look more like an Allium. The flower head consists of a number of flowers all opening at the same time. Each flower is quite spiky in appearance, creating a big spiky ball of rich blue color.
The rampion is native to the mountains of Europe and is also commonly called Oxford rampion and horned rampion.
It grows easily from seed and forms a nice compact clump. I have it growing in both full sun and part shade and it seems to like both conditions. It will be shorter if given more light and less water.
The plant is rated to zone 5, but it has overwintered in a raised trough during 2013 and 2014 – two very cold winters for zone 5. I’d expect it to survive zone 4.
Phyteuma scheuchzeri
(ty-the-YOO-muh SHOYK-ser-ee)
Life Cycle: perennial
Height: 30cm (1ft)
Bloom Time: mid-summer
Natural Range: Europe
Habitat: rocky mountains
Synonyms: Phyteuma ovatum, Phyteuma corniculatum, Rapunculus scheuchzeri
Cultivation of Phyteuma scheuchzeri :
Light: full sun to part shade
Soil: moist to well drained
Water: regular moisture
USDA Hardiness Zone: (4?) 5 – 8
Propagation: seed, division
It grows beautifully in Zone 9B too. We’re in Sonoma County. So, given Sylvia in zone 3’s comment, perhaps the USDA Hardiness Zone might be updatable from “(4?) 5 – 8” to zones 3-9B.
We grow it in Sonoma County as well. King’s nursery had it for sale in 2019, but I haven’t seen it there since.
I have this plant now for 20years and I love it as well as the bees and I live in a zone 3 love it .
Just stumbled across this site. Have saved it for a better “look/see” once the winter rains and grey arrive. Really nicely laid-out. Thank you. Have shared it with other gardeners here on Salt Spring Isl. Will check out the FB page as well.