Aphyllanthes monspeliensis Mediterranean Europe Gentiana saponaria 'Rockford' is a

Gentiana saponaria 'Rockford' is a 2016 Plant Delights/JLBG introduction of a special strain of the easy-to-grow

by the late John Gallagher of CT

carmine-red

spiny-edged foliage that clothes this architectural clump emerges solid bronze

Aphyllanthes monspeliensis Mediterranean Europe Gentiana saponaria 'Rockford' is aFew gardeners have ever run across the monotypic Aphyllanthes monspeliensis, unless you've spent time in the Mediterranean region south to Morocco. This solitary genus in the Asparagus family produces a small rock garden size plant that looks like Festuca glauca until it flowers, then it looks just like a sisyrinchium or other irid. The narrow wiry glaucous leaves form a tight clump, topped, starting for us in mid April with 1" medium blue flowers.