The snowbells are amongst the favourite flowers of the European Alps, pushing their way through the melting snow, to show their delightful fringed bells. Their characteristic round, shiny leaves follow, and one way of identifying species is by way of the colour underneath the leaves, which can be red, green, blue-grey or purple. They are all fine plants for a cool damp place, outside or in a pot. They should be divided regularly to maintain vigour, and marauding slugs should be persuaded to hunt elsewhere. [I was astonished to read that a Soldanella germinated from a block of peat dug as fuel in Orkney.]

Soldanella villosa is the biggest and most robust of the genus, steadily spreading to give a mat. The old leaves are best cleared away early in spring, leaving the stage for the fresh new leaves, unfurling at the same time as the purple, fringed bells open.