Clump-forming perennial with a creeping rootstock producing numerous stems. Racems pendulous, with branching reaching 30 cm, sometimes 60 cm. Flowers numerous, 1.5 cm long, deep azure blue with an especially graceful form. Corolla tubular at base with a pale blue stripe, while the calyx flares outward, so that the flower resembles a blue cup sitting in a green saucer. V - early spring to late autumn. Leaves may persist under snow protection. Fl - in early or mid-summer (June-July in St. Petersburg). Fr - 3 weeks after flowering. P - by seed. Flowers in the second year after sowing. Prefers rocky soil, does well on a dry stone wall. Z 5. New.

Caucasus (Armenia). On cliffs and rocky slopes.

There are a number of other species related to C. choziatowskyi that occur in the Caucasus, barely known in cultivation. Of most interest are C. elegantissima Grossh. (stems procumbent, 10-15 cm, flowers numerous, 2-3 cm long, new to cultivation); C. kemulariae Fomin (stems procumbent, 15-25 cm, flowers 2-3 cm long); and C. ossetica Bieb. (stems arching, 20-40 cm long, flowers numerous, 2-3 cm long, new to cultivation). All plants suitable for the rock garden and dry walls. All do well in Z 5; C. kemulariae can grow in zone 4. Both C. elegantissima and C ossetica are new reports for gardening.