About
Cerinthe major 'Kiwi Blue' is an upright annual that grows up to 60 cm tall. Its leaves are somewhat fleshy and exhibit a blue-green hue, closely adhering to the pale green stems. During spring and summer, it produces pendulous, tubular flowers in shades of purple, accompanied by clusters of bracts that transition from blue-green to deep blue as the season progresses.
About the genus
Cerinthe species can be categorized as annuals, biennials, or perennials. They typically feature simple, frequently grey-tinged foliage and produce tubular flowers that are arranged in a hanging terminal cluster, accompanied by noticeable bracts.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun or light shade. Thrives in poor soils
- Pruning
- Cut back after flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown at 13-18°C in spring, plant out when the danger of frost has passed
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to slugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free