Adenophora stricta

Perennials native to Asia, very similar to bellflowers; they only differ by the presence of a tubular or cup-shaped disk arranged around the style of the flowers. Very cold-resistant. Easy to cultivate in a healthy soil, neither too dry nor too wet. For our part, we cultivate them in the sun in gravel gardens, rockeries or on sloping banks, alongside Euphorbias, wormwoods, Verbena bonariensis..where they sometimes self-seed spontaneously.

Thick stump with running roots. Dark green, shiny leaves, 25cm (10in) long and 6cm (2in) wide. Robust, reddish, very leafy stems. Long spikes of pendulous blue bell-shaped flowers. Can reach a height of 2 metres (7 feet), it tends to lay on the ground if lacking in light. Avoid the proximity of trees that may shade it. Discreet staking can also keep the stems upright.