Id-Code: PA 476
Family: Polemoniaceae
Origin: Northern Hemisphere
Special Features: Compact growing habit, glossy leaves and larger flowers
History: Introduced by JELITTO STAUDENSAMEN GMBH in 1999
Colour: Erect panicles hold larger blue flowers, each with a center consisting of a yellow eye with a white center
Natural Flowering Period: June - August
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z3-8
Growth Habit: Clumping
Foliage: Stems, somearial,helvetica bi-pinnate, with up to 20 oval to oblong, glossy leaflets
Height with Flower: 30 cm (12'')
Spacing between Plants: 45 cm (18'')
Soil Requirement: Well drained soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Partial shade
Use: Plant together with Platycodon 'Hakone White', Veronica longifolia 'Pink Shades' and Tanacetum 'Jackpot'
Specialities: Outstanding combination of flowers and foliage; Easy-to-grow from seed
Cultural Tips: Scheduling:
Growing On:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 1,149
Seeds per Gram: 870
Seeding Recommendation: 3 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 2-3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 128 or 288
Germination: Rapidly germinating, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about +20°C (68°F). The seed must be covered thinly. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs. The germination might be slower and more irregular. This poses no problems.
Best Sowing Dates: Anytime
Sowing to Germination: 2 - 3 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 10 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not Necessary
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2'')
Vernalization: There is no current research on vernalization but a prudent recommendation for any perennial would be 6-12 weeks (a few might need 15 weeks!) at an average daily temperature of 40°F (5°C). Exposure to cold may not be necessary for flowering but might improve quality.
Forcing: An obvious place to experiment - following vernalization - would be raising daytime temperatures to 60° - 65°F (15° - 17°C). Provide 16 hours of continuous lighting. During the short days of winter, provide a night interruption lighting of 4 hours between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm)
