Globularia cordifolia

Globularia cordifolia is an evergreen perennial that, despite its small size, has all the characteristics of a great perennial. It bears an abundance of lavender-blue flowers in summer. This hardy plant can be grown in dry soil. It is beautiful in the ground or in a container.

Globularia cordifolia belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. Its woody stumps develop rooting stems, helping it to colonise the rocky slopes of the limestone mountains of the Haut Jura, the Alps, the Causses de la Lozère, the Aveyron, and the Pyrenees (450 to 2500m (1476 to 8202 ft) above sea level), territories known for their dry and stony soil and their exposure to extreme temperature variations (scorching heat and freezing temperatures).

Globularia cordifolia forms an excellent ground cover but is also a wonderful accent plant, resembling a mini-meadow. It quickly forms a dense carpet no more than 8cm (3in) in height, with dark green foliage that is almost shiny (2.5cm (1in) long), notched at the top and grouped in rosettes. From May to July, small spherical flowers emerge, no larger than a coin. Their appearance is deceptively modest as they display a treasure trove of creativity, both in their shape (unequal-toothed calyx and tightly packed heads) and in their lavender-blue colour, which is sometimes lilac with a touch of ash.

We recommend planting Globularia cordifolia in poor, limestone soil (not acidic soil), in a sunny location. However, even though it can withstand cold weather, it is not fond of winter moisture (from December to February).

We advise you to combine Globularia cordifolia, which will remain the dominant plant due to its vigour, with a trio of white, blue, and yellow chickweed perennials to create a bucolic display: Armeria alba, Veronica prostrata, and Helianthemum lunulatum. You can also mix it in a container with houseleeks and sedum.