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.

Anchusa

Anchusa 'Blue Shower'

Anchusa 'Cambridge Angel'

Anchusa 'Loddon Gold'

Anchusa 'The Bees Knees'

Anchusa aegyptiaca

Anchusa arvensis is a hairy, bristly annual. Its leaves are narrow, pointed, and wavy, exhibiting a somewhat warty texture, with the upper leaves wrapping around the stem. From early summer to autumn, it produces clusters of small, blue, tubular flowers that flare outward.

Anchusa arvensis

Anchusa azurea is a herbaceous perennial that can grow up to 90 cm tall. It features coarse, hairy, lance-shaped leaves primarily found at the base. The plant produces vibrant gentian-blue flowers that gradually transition to blue-purple as they mature, all arranged on upright, branching stems.

Anchusa azurea

Anchusa azurea 'Dropmore' is an upright, clump-forming perennial that has a relatively short lifespan. It features alternate, smooth, and stiffly hairy leaves that are linear-elliptic to lanceolate in shape, with bases that either clasp or sit directly on the stem. From late spring through early summer, it produces vibrant blue flowers that are arranged in terminal spikes, elevating above the surrounding foliage.

Anchusa azurea 'Dropmore'

Anchusa azurea 'Feltham Pink'

Anchusa azurea 'Feltham Pride'

Anchusa azurea 'Italian Pride'

Anchusa azurea 'Kingfisher Blue'

Anchusa azurea 'Little John'

Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist' is a perennial plant featuring coarse, hairy, lanceolate leaves that primarily grow at the base. It produces vibrant deep blue flowers measuring around 15mm in diameter, which are held on upright, branching stems.

Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist'

Anchusa azurea 'Morning Glory'

Anchusa azurea 'Opal'

Anchusa azurea 'Royal Blue'

Anchusa caespitosa Lam.

Anchusa capensis

Anchusa capensis 'Blue Angel'

Anchusa capensis 'Blue Bird'

Anchusa crispa

Anchusa hybrida

Anchusa italica 'Best of All'

Anchusa italica 'Feltham Pride'

Anchusa italica Retz. 'Dropmore'

Anchusa leptophylla 'Sapphire Blue'

Anchusa leptophylla subsp. incana

Anchusa neglecta

Anchusa obliqua

Anchusa ochroleuca

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.