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Anchusa azurea (Garden anchusa)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.9m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Anchusa azurea
Other names
Garden anchusa, Italian alkanet, Italian borage, Sea borage, Anchusa italica, Italian bugloss, Summer forget-me-not, Blue bugloss, Wild bugloss
Genus
Anchusa Anchusa
Species
A. azurea - A. azurea is an erect, clump-forming, deciduous perennial with stiffly-hairy, lance-shaped, dark green leaves and erect, branching panicles of bright blue flowers in early summer.
Anchusa azurea is: Deciduous
Habit
Erect flower stem, Clump-forming
Flower
Bright-blue in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Leaf-mining sawflies Leaf-mining sawflies
Powdery mildew Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Deadhead to encourage a second flush of flowers. Cut back top growth in autumn.
Propagation methods
Seed, Root cuttings, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Anchusa azurea (Garden anchusa) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Add to salads, Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), City, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Plant in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. Avoid winter wet. May require staking.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Anchusa azurea
Other names
Garden anchusa, Italian alkanet, Italian borage, Sea borage, Anchusa italica, Italian bugloss, Summer forget-me-not, Blue bugloss, Wild bugloss
Genus
Anchusa Anchusa
Species
A. azurea - A. azurea is an erect, clump-forming, deciduous perennial with stiffly-hairy, lance-shaped, dark green leaves and erect, branching panicles of bright blue flowers in early summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Erect flower stem, Clump-forming
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Colour
Flower
Bright-blue in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Deadhead to encourage a second flush of flowers. Cut back top growth in autumn.
Propagation methods
Seed, Root cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Anchusa azurea (Garden anchusa) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Add to salads, Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), City, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Plant in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. Avoid winter wet. May require staking.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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