Puschkinia Libanotica - ORG

Puschkinia libanotica is a small bulb with a big story. It grows wild in the mountainous regions of the Caucasus, from Lebanon to Iran and beyond — areas with harsh winters and short, intense springs. You can see that background reflected in its character: compact, resilient and flowering at just the right moment. The pale blue flowers, with their fine dark stripe, are delicate to look at, but the plant itself is anything but fragile.

A name to remember

Puschkinia is named after the Russian botanist Apollos Mussin-Pushkin, who collected plants in the Caucasus in the early 19th century. Libanotica refers to Lebanon, where the plant also grows wild. It is a plant with roots — literally and figuratively. In the garden, it behaves like a faithful naturaliser: plant it once, and it takes care of itself. It propagates via seed and bulbils and slowly forms dense, colourful clumps.

Early-flowering and bee-friendly

Puschkinia flowers in early spring, at the same time as Scilla and Chionodoxa — and combines beautifully with them. It is a valuable source of nectar for early-season bees. Plant the bulbs in autumn at a depth of about 8 cm, in well-drained, preferably slightly nutrient-rich soil. In full sun or partial shade, amongst the grass or at the foot of a tree — it is not fussy. Organically grown, certified NL-BIO-01.