Guide to growing garden plants - Phyteuma Rampion

Members of the Phyteuma genus are rosette forming hardy perennials.

They have a large range in height from as little as 5cm up to 90cm, this makes them ideal for many different parts of the garden, but for best results use the smaller varieties in the rock garden or to fill in the gaps in drystone walling.

Phyteuma blooms in th summer and depending on the species may have spiked or barbed shape flowers of purple, blue or white.

One of the common names for Phyteuma is Rampion.

How to grow Rampion

When growing Rampion outdoors from seeds it is best to start in the spring. The seeds should be sowed on the soil surface into flats. The flat should then be wrapped in a plastic bag and placed in the fridge for about three weeks. The flat should then be removed from the plastic bag and sank into the ground in an area of the garden that is fully shaded., and covered with glass to retain humidity. It should take from between one to three months for the Rampion seeds to germinate. The seedlings should then be transplanted into a sunny or lightly shaded part of the garden. If you purchase Rampion or other Phyteuma species from a garden centre then plant them in the garden in mid spring, when there is no chance of a late frost. Depending on the species of Phyteuma they should be spaced from 20cm (small) to 45cm (large) apart.

Caring for Rampion - Phyteuma

Rampion and other Phyteuma plants like to grow in a light, gritty or sandy soil, that is limy and fertile. The plants are easy to care for, simply water them when in prolonged dry spells. If you require more Rampion then Phyteuma can be propagated by division in the autumn.