Alpine snowbell Soldanella alpina
Alpine snowbell (Soldanella alpina) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Primulaceae family, native to Mountains of central and southern Europe: Alps, Pyrenees, Apennines and Balkans. It grows 5–15 cm (2–6 in) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
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Alpine snowbell at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Primulaceae |
| Mature height | 5–15 cm (2–6 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountains of central and southern Europe: Alps, Pyrenees, Apennines and Balkans |
| Common in gardens of | 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇴 Norway |
Is Alpine snowbell toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Alpine snowbell
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Alpine snowbell
- How far apart should I plant Alpine snowbell?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Alpine snowbell need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Alpine snowbell need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Alpine snowbell?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Alpine snowbell flower?
- From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Alpine snowbell poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Alpine snowbell?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Alpine snowbell. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Alpine Garden Society Encyclopaedia of Alpines and plant portraits, Alpine Garden Society, Pershore (UK)
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A rock-garden plant: give it gritty, very free-draining soil, full light and a collar of gravel around the neck; winter wet kills it far more often than cold.
- Small, round, leathery leaves and nodding violet bells with deeply fringed edges that push up through melting snow; the plant’s own warmth helps melt a hole. Needs cool, moist conditions and protection from slugs, which love the buds.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Primrose Primula vulgaris
- Ivy-leaved cyclamen Cyclamen hederifolium
- Creeping Jenny Lysimachia nummularia
- Auricula Primula auricula
- Cowslip Primula veris
- Giant Himalayan cowslip Primula florindae
- Florist’s cyclamen Cyclamen persicum
- Coral ardisia (manryō) Ardisia crenata