Tweedia solanoides

(syn: Oxypetalum solanoides) This delightful South American native, which we originally acquired from the Rock Garden Society seed exchange, makes a delightful garden addition. The 2' tall, deciduous clumper makes an upright mound of soft, hairy, green spade-shaped leaves attached to an upright stem. The clumps are topped, starting in late May and continuing for several weeks, with terminal clusters of tiny, pink, star-shaped flowers. The green, asclepias-like pods, which form after flowering, are also a nice architectural feature. We see some garden seedlings, but in a polite way. Well-drained and average-to-dry soils are preferred.