ORNAMENTAL PLANTS OF HORTICULTURE VALUE

Selection of perennials

About 300 species in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemispere and montane tropics. In the FSU about 65 species. Some of them are known in gardens, such as G. eriostemon Fisch., G. ibericum Cav., G. platypetalum Fisch. et Mey., G. sanguineum L. and G. wlassowianum Fisch. ex Link. Some other species have been investigated and can be recommended.

G. gymnocaulon DC.

Caucasus (the Greater Caucasus Range and the western part of the Lesser Caucasus). Alpine and subalpine meadows.

Rhizome vertical, 10-15 cm long. Basal leaves long-petiolate (10-20 cm), pentagonal, deeply divided, lobes irregulary incised. Stems 1-2, 10-15 cm, sparsly leafy. Flowers in pairs, petals 20 mm x 13-15 mm, bright violet. V - mid-spring to mid-autumn. Fl - July in the wild, in St. Petersburg June. Fr - August. P -easily by seed or division. Requires a moist soil and semishade. Z 4. New.

G. himalayense Klotsch

Central Asia (Pamiro Alay). In alpine meadows, on grassy slopes.

Stems 15- 30 cm. Leaves deeply divided into 5 segments. Flowers violet with purple venation. V - mid-spring to late autumn. Fl - throughout the summer. Fr - July-September. P - easily by division of rhizome and by seed. Requires a well-drained soil and sunny site protected from the afternoon sun. Very suitable for the rock garden and flower beds. Z 5.

G. sophiae Fed.

Central Asia (Tien Shan). On gravelly talus and scree.

Plant low-growing, 3-5 cm, foliage deeply incised, 5-7 lobed, each lobed futher divided. Flowers pink or purple, in pairs, about 2.5-3.0 cm long. Entire plant pubescent with grey hairs. V - mid spring to late autumn. Fl - mid summer (July, August in the wild). Fr - mid autumn. P - by seed or division. Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny position. Well suited to the rock garden. Z 5. New.