A beautiful, dainty wildflower that thrives in and is hardy to many different environments. It blooms in May-June, with a gorgeous 5-petaled blue-purple flower. The lower petal is white at the base, with dark purple veins radiating from the center. The flower is bearded with fine white tufts. The latin name, nephrophylla, is due to the kidney-shaped, scallop-edged leaves.
It spreads by rhizomes and does well in moist, but well draining soil in full sun to part shade. In nature, it tends to grow in the most difficult of habitats: moist prairies, moist woods, marshes, forest bogs, and even in the crevices of limestone. It maintains its compact size and only grows to about 5-10 inches in height. It would do well between rocks at the edges of your garden!
