Cortusa

The genus was named by the herbalist Matthiolus after his friend Cortusus, professor of botany at Padua, who discovered the plant originally called Cortusa matthioli (now Primula matthioli.

Most of the species are small spring bloomers for shade and rock garden.

These low-growing and rather handsome little plants have clumps of downy, light green, heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges.

In late spring, small loose umbel of delicate bell-shaped to lily-liked flowers born terminally on drooping spikes arise from the base, some 6-8in high.

They are dormant in some months, and as spring begins, stems and leaves quickly start to reproduce.