Bellium bellidioides

Perennial of the Asteraceae family, Bellium bellidioides is native to the islands of the western Mediterranean, mainly the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily, where it grows on moist rocks, coastal cliffs, short grasslands, and rock crevices, generally at low altitude but sometimes up to around 1,000 meters.

It forms small dense and creeping carpets, hardly exceeding 5 to 10 cm in height. The leaves are small, spatulate, entire, bright green and slightly fleshy, gathered in basal rosettes reminiscent at first glance of a miniature daisy. The flowers, borne individually on fine peduncles, are small white capitula with white ligules and yellow center, of great freshness.

In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from May to July. In cultivation, it can bloom earlier and more spread out depending on the exposure.

What immediately distinguishes the species is its low and dense cushion-like habit, of remarkable neatness, and the delicacy of its floral stems standing above the foliage like tiny white pennants.

It requires well-drained, slightly moist soil, a sunny to semi-shaded exposure, and tolerates slight winter humidity if drainage is ensured. Perfectly suited for rock gardens and walls.