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King of the Alps Wikimedia Commons
Boraginaceae

King of the Alps

Eritrichium nanum

perseverance and rarity.

Family
Boraginaceae
Genus
Eritrichium
Native to
European Alps, Central Europe
Bloom season
Summer
Type
alpine cushion plant
Height
2-5 cm
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
rocky, well-drained, alkaline
Water
low
Hardiness
3-5
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • It is considered one of the most difficult alpine plants to cultivate, earning it the nickname King of the Alps.
  • This tiny plant grows at altitudes of 2,500 to 3,700 meters in the European Alps.
  • Its brilliant blue flowers resemble forget-me-nots but are found only in extreme mountain environments.
  • The cushion-forming growth habit helps it survive freezing winds and harsh alpine conditions.
  • Alpine botanists consider finding this flower in bloom to be one of the great prizes of mountain exploration.

Color meanings

0

perseverance

1

rarity

2

hidden beauty

3

endurance

Uses

  • alpine gardens
  • rock gardens
  • botanical collections