Polygala calcarea

Polygala calcarea, the chalk milkwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Polygalaceae, native to western Europe. It is a delicate mat-forming evergreen perennial growing to 5 cm (2 in) tall by 20 cm (8 in) broad, with spikes of small, vivid deep blue flowers in spring, and leathery, oval leaves.^[1]

Polygala calcarea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Polygalaceae
Genus:	Polygala
Species:	P. calcarea
Binomial name
Polygala calcarea F.W.Schultz

Etymology

The specific epithet calcarea means "growing in lime", though this plant will grow in a range of soils.^[2]

Cultivation

It prefers sharply drained conditions, and is suitable for cultivation in an alpine garden.

Cultivars

The cultivar 'Lillet' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^[3][4]