Arenaria purpurascens

Perennial of the Caryophyllaceae family, Arenaria purpurascens is a species of the high mountains of southwestern Europe, present in the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian ranges of northern Spain. It colonizes rock gardens, rock crevices, and alpine lawns on limestone or mixed substrates, generally between 1,600 and 2,800 meters.

It forms small dense and flat cushions, 3 to 8 cm in height, composed of oval to elliptical, mucronate leaves, of a slightly shiny bright green, ciliated on the edges. This tight cushion habit, well-suited to rocky crevices, is characteristic of plants adapted to harsh altitude conditions.

Its flowers are one of the most remarkable features of the genus: bright pink to pink-lilac, sometimes almost pink-purple, with five well-developed petals, they stand out distinctly from the usual white of sandworts and illuminate the rocks at flowering time. In its natural habitat, flowering extends from June to August depending on altitude. In cultivation, it generally occurs in May-June.

It requires full sun, a very well-drained, limestone or neutral, poor soil, and good aeration at the collar level. Stagnant winter moisture is harmful to it. It is suitable for well-maintained alpine rock gardens, troughs, and gravel gardens, where its unexpected flower color for the genus is a unique asset.