Lithodora
Shrubby gromwell
- Height × spread
- 0.15m – 0.15m × 0.5m – 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 7 species of Lithodora and most of these can be seen in gardens or alpine houses. The species that is most commonly seen is Lithodora diffusa and its forms. They are low growing and spreading plants with a gentle appearance and slender, soft-looking foliage. The flowers are coloured blue, often, a wondrous blue that attracts all who see it in flower. They are generally not more than 30 cm in height with a spreading habit. The simple, starry flowers come in summer. These plants are generally grown in rock gardens or raised beds, none are reliably hardy but with shelter, well drained and sunshine they do generally survive. Lithodora diffusa needs acidic soil.
- Flower colour
- Blue, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.15m – 0.15m
- Spread
- 0.5m – 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Rock garden, Mediterranean garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous)
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Apply acidic mulch
Where soil is only just acidic, apply mulch with a high acidic content such as leaf mould, or mulch for ericaceous plants. Alternatively the plant can benefit from a feed of iron supplement (iron chelate) such as sequestrol.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
Found in
More Lithodora
Lithodora diffusa
Spreading lithodora, Acid-loving lithodora
Lithodora diffusa 'Heavenly Blue'
Spreading lithodora, Acid-loving lithodora
Lithodora diffusa 'Star'
Spreading lithodora, Acid-loving lithodora
Lithodora diffusa 'Tidepool Sky Blue'
Purple gromwell