Anchusa azurea 'Opal'
Large blue alkanet, Alkanet, Bugloss, Italian alkanet, Italian bugloss
- Height × spread
- 1.1m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a sturdy plant with elliptical leaves standing out from the upright stems. These hold branching heads of rounded flowers of glorious sky-blue. Its a colour that takes the eye and is a joyful addition to the June garden. The plant is likely to benefit from some discreet staking. Give this a sunny site in fertile well drained soil.
- Flower colour
- Blue
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1.1m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Small scale garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer · Planting
Prune after flowering
When the plant has finished flowering, cut the trailing stems back by half their length or more to retain a compact and appealing habit.
Found in
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