Umbilicus luteus (syn. U. erectus), Navel of Venus

Navel of Venus is a biennial succulent plant with round leaves and an 8" spire of pale yellow, tiny, tubular flowers held closely. It's unusual appearance and moniker make it quite the conversation piece! We have it in a gravelly rock garden where it hugs the rocks and fills the crevices, slowly finding new niches. This is a terrific vertical contrast to many of those prostrate rock garden plants, and the spires can even look alive as they curve various directions, some slightly nodding, animating the garden. From Southern Italy and the Southern Balkans. Deer-resistant.

Properties/conditions:

• deer-resistant
• drought-tolerant
• rock garden
• scant water
• sun
• well-draining soil