Myosotis retrorsa 'Jandals'

A newly released culitvar only available here or to those 'in the know'. A fund raiser for the NZAGS visiting speaker fund, The Steve Newall Memorial Travelling Speaker,  as a tribute to Steve. 

A newly released, lovely and wonderful little endemic alpine plant of the South Island of New Zealand.

Discovered in 2018. This species is notoriously difficult to grow… until the discovery of a variety called 'Jandals'. Named after the nicest alpine enthusiast and seed collector, the late Steve Newall. who liked to wander about the mountains, often in his jandals! 

This amazing form was discovered and propagated by Hamish Brown, another enthusiast with incredible plants. The distinctive retrorse (backwards-facing) hairs on the back of the leaves are the key to identifying this species. It forms a tight immaculate bun in Canterbury conditions. White, small star-shaped flowers from late spring and beyond occasionally. Moist but never water logged. Provide good drainage by incorporating at least 50% grit to your mix. For a choice spot in a crevice garden or trough. Light shade is good in the heat of summer. 

Myosotis are very special in New Zealand being the world's hot spot for diversity. To have a plant of this caliber which you can easily grow is a delightful prospect.

Large plants romping away...

Flowering image thanks to Heidi Meudt , the Myosotis expert and her team. Check out the team's work on the Te Papa website. The flowers on 'Jandals' are just the same. It is just that the foliage looks to show a vigour that is incomprehensible really. 

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Herbarium page of the species, not the cultivar. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons