Polygala calcarea
{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Polygala calcarea06.jpg
|image_caption =
|genus = Polygala
|species = calcarea
|authority = F.W.Schultz
}}
Polygala calcarea, the chalk milkwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Polygalaceae, native to western Europe. It is a delicate mat-forming evergreen perennial growing to {{convert|5|cm|0|abbr=on}} tall by {{convert|20|cm|0|abbr=on}} broad, with spikes of small, vivid deep blue flowers in spring, and leathery, oval leaves.{{cite book|title=RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants|year=2008|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=1405332964|pages=1136}}
Etymology
The specific epithet calcarea means "growing in lime", though this plant will grow in a range of soils.{{cite book|last=Harrison|first=Lorraine|title=RHS Latin for gardeners|year=2012|publisher=Mitchell Beazley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=9781845337315|pages=224}}
Cultivation
It prefers sharply drained conditions, and is suitable for cultivation in an alpine garden.
Cultivars
The cultivar 'Lillet' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.{{cite web
| url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/45904/i-Polygala-calcarea-i-Lillet/Details | title = RHS Plantfinder - Polygala calcarea ‘Lillet’
| accessdate = 7 May 2018}}{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 80 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | accessdate = 7 May 2018}}