Synthyris missurica ssp. stellata

319-003 Synthyris missurica ssp. stellata ( Columbia kittentails )
Joy Creek Photo Archive (c) all rights reserved	Synthyris missurica ssp. stellata is a welcome sight when it blooms in the Western Columbia River Gorge in early spring because it is one of the earliest of our regional wildflowers to open. The common name Columbia kittentails seems a bit misleading but with a good imagination perhaps you can conjure up the tail of a little blue kitten from the bloom spike. Even when this is not in bloom, it looks good because the foliage is evergreen. Forming a dense, low mound, the 1 to 2 inch glossy rounded leaves are cupped in their centers and toothed along their margins. For many years we thought of combining dwarf narcissus or crocus to complement the blue of the flowers but we have yet to find the perfect dwarf bulb. This is often found in partly shaded sites but we have grown it in sun in our garden with great success. Early spring. 5-12 in. x 12 in. Blue flowers *Sun, Part Shade Zones 7, 8, 9*