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Anchusa officinalis (Alkanet)

Intermediate
skill rating
2 hours care
per year
0.6m
Max height
0.4m
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity

Plant details

Botanical name

Anchusa officinalis

Other names

Alkanet, Common bugloss, Common anchusa

Genus

Anchusa Anchusa

Species

A. officinalis - A. officinalis is an upright perennial with hairy, lance-shaped leaves, hairy stems, and deep purple to blue flowers with white centres in summer through early autumn


Anchusa officinalis is: Deciduous

Habit

Erect, Upright

Flower

Blue in Summer; Blue in Autumn

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 after flowering to encourage a rosette of foliage.

Propagation methods

Seed, Root cuttings, Softwood cuttings

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Where to grow

Anchusa officinalis (Alkanet) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.4m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Wildlife, Gravel

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Will perform best in dry, sandy sites.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

Hardy (H4)

Companion plants

We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.

Botanical name

Anchusa officinalis

Other names

Alkanet, Common bugloss, Common anchusa

Genus

Anchusa Anchusa

Species

A. officinalis - A. officinalis is an upright perennial with hairy, lance-shaped leaves, hairy stems, and deep purple to blue flowers with white centres in summer through early autumn

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Erect, Upright

Colour

Flower

Blue in Summer; Blue in Autumn

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Leaf-mining sawflies

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Deadhead to encourage a second flush of flowers. Cut back top growth after flowering to encourage a rosette of foliage.

Propagation methods

Seed, Root cuttings, Softwood cuttings

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Anchusa officinalis (Alkanet) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.4m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Wildlife, Gravel

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Will perform best in dry, sandy sites.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5

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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...
Aspect: North, South, East, West Tell us...
Exposure: Sheltered Tell us...
Hardiness: Hardy (H4) Tell us...

GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT

My Garden
My Garden
Lisa Biddlecombe

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