About

A bushy, sprawling, bristly annual or short-lived perennial from the Mediterranean with lobed, grey-green leaves and pale yellow, funnel-shaped flowers in summer, followed by the characteristic touch-sensitive, hairy fruit that squirts seeds explosively when ripe. A curiosity for a warm, sunny, well-drained border or container.

About the genus

Lithodora are evergreen shrubs or sub-shrubs, with 5-lobed blue or white flowers in early spring to summer

Plant details

Suggested usesBorders, hedging, specimen planting.

Care notes

CultivationPlant in well-drained soil in sun or part shade.
PruningPrune after flowering or late winter.
PropagationPropagate by division, cuttings, or seed.
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free.
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-resistant.