Ostrowskia magnifica Credit: Tatyana Shulkina

Flowering stem up to 100-180 cm. Leaves ovate-oblong, dentate, 2-5 in whorls along the stem. Stem and leaves glabrous. Flowers with long pedicels, white or light blue, rarely violet, large, to 16-18 cm diam., in terminal panicle. One plant can produce up to 30 flowers. V - in mountains May to September. Fl - June-July. Fr - August-September. In the foothills fl - May and all above ground parts die off by the end June. P - by seed. A slow-growing perennial, it can grow for many years in one place. Prefers sunny places, but needs to be protected from the afternoon sun. Requires a light, well-drained soil, without watering during the dormant period (from mid summer till late autumn). Can be transplanted during the autumn only (September). Z 5. This species is the gem of the family.

Central Asia (Pamiro Alay), Tien Shan (Ugamskiye Mountains) and northern Afghanistan. In the forest and middle mountain zones, among shrubs, about 1,500-2,000.