About
A hardy annual which produces soft, upright, green leaves and produces subtle blue flowers from June until September. Make an excellent cut flower and will grow in the poorest of soils.
About the genus
A small genus of flowering annuals native to the Mediterranean with green, lance-shaped leaves and long, thin, arched stems of pink, red, blue, purple or white flowers in summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun or dappled shade.
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in-situ in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews