About
A herbaceous perennial to 90cm with coarsely-hairy, lance-shaped, mostly basal leaves. Bright gentian-blue flowers, aging to blue-purple, are borne on erect, branching stems.
About the genus
Anchusa can be erect or spreading perennials, biennials or annuals with hairy or bristly foliage and cymes of tubular or salver-shaped, usually blue flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Native toEurope, N Africa, W Asia
Care notes
CultivationGrows in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, although it can also tolerate partial shade. It thrives in moist soils but dislikes winter wet. May need staking
PruningDeadhead to encourage a second flush of flowers. Cut back top growth after flowering to encourage overwintering rosettes of foliage
PropagationPropagate by seed, root cuttings or by softwood cuttings from the base of young shoots
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf-mining flies
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews