About
Primarily a biennial plant, though it can also behave as a perennial, Anchusa officinalis generates numerous tall spikes adorned with blue flowers from mid-summer until the onset of frost.
About the genus
Anchusa comprises erect or spreading plants that can be classified as perennials, biennials, or annuals. Their leaves are typically hairy or bristly, and they produce clusters of tubular or salver-shaped flowers, which are predominantly blue in color.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Native to
- Europe to Caucasus
- Toxicity
- Bristles can cause skin irritation. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in any modrately fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun
- Pruning
- Cut back old stems after flowering has finished
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in late winter or early spring at 13-16C (55-61F). Root basal cuttings in spring or root cuttings in winter
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews