Anchusa azurea
Large blue alkanet, Alkanet, Bugloss, Italian alkanet, Italian bugloss
Also known as Anchusa italica
- Height × spread
- 0.45m – 1.2m × 0.5m – 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Perennials that come from Europe, West Asia and North Africa. The flowers come on upright stems and are in shades of blue, often, a very clear deep blue. They range in height from around 45 cm to 1.5 metres. These are summer flowering and enjoy soil that always has moisture in it. They don't like to be too wet during winter. These clear blues go very well with orange flowers for a high contrast planting.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.45m – 1.2m
- Spread
- 0.5m – 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Small scale garden, Mediterranean 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
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- 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.
Planting & general
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.
Planting
Support some varieties
Some plants within this species may require support for young plants and/or long stems. It is best to look up your specific plant for guidance, and/or check the label.
Found in
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