Ledebouria ovalifolia has quickly become a favorite South African hyacinth…a dwarf rock garden gem that has drawn the attention of everyone who sees it in the garden. Ledebouria ovalifolia (not to be confused with Ledebouria ovatifolia) comes to us from plantsman Aaron Floden, via its South African collector, Dawie Human of Lifestyle Seeds. In the wild, Ledebouria ovalifolia is found growing in coastal alkaline soils from the Western to the Southeastern Cape. In the garden, Ledebouria ovalifolia forms a small 6″ tall x 10″ wide, winter-deciduous mass of upright oval leaves (5″ long x .5″ wide). The bottom half of each glossy green leaf is dark purple on the outside, showing to great effect in the garden. In May and June, the clumps are further adorned by short 6″ tall, thin flower spikes of tiny purple striped flowers with dark purple anthers. Where it isn’t hardy, Ledebouria ovalifolia will make a superb patio container specimen.
