About
This upright, hairy annual reaches a height of approximately 60 cm and features a well-branched structure. The foliage consists of fern-like, palmate leaves in a mid-green hue. From late spring through summer, it produces loose spikes adorned with flowers that range from deep blue to purplish tones.
About the genus
Consolida consists of upright annual plants characterized by their deeply divided pinnate or palmate leaves. During the summer months, they produce clusters of small flowers resembling those of delphinium, which feature distinctive spurs.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Sand, Loam
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
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, Patio and container plants, Wildflower meadow
- Native to
- Europe, Caucasia
- Toxicity
- All parts, including the seed, are harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained soil in full sun; for cut flowers, cut when only the lowermost buds are open
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed: sow in early autumn and prick out in early spring, sow under cover in early spring, or sow outside in late spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews