Sometimes you find yourself in the right place at the exact right time. Perhaps there is never a wrong time to be in the dolomites, but when the alpine meadows are bursting with colour it is a spectacular sight.

King of the alps Eritrichium nanum is a member of the borage (boraginacaea) family found above 2500m.

It like acid rocks, screes and receeding glaciers so it can be an adventure to find. It flowers from mid June-end of July in deep blue flowers with a yellow eyelet. This little lot was found on 20th July at an altitude of 2500m in the Passo di Rolle (Paneveggio National Park.). It was growing at the base of the Cimon della Pala mountain along some boulders.

It has a cushion growth form and likes the crevices of the boulders where it forms a low growing clump. And as it’s about the journey, not just the destination, here are some other botanical beauties.