Anchusa azurea

Also Known As

Alkanet
Italian Alkanet

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 2'-4'
W: 1'-3'

planting zones

5a-11

More Options

Anchusa azurea plant details

Anchusa azurea is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In spring and summer blue flowers emerge. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Anchusa azurea

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: boraginaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 1 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: blue blooms in spring and summer
Uses: cottage garden, cutting garden, easy-to-grow, floriferous, heirloom, long-blooming

GROWING CONDITIONS for Anchusa azurea

USDA Zones: 5a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat
Soil needs: average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Introduced in 1905, this variety has deep blue flower spikes. The name Anchusa means 'paint for the skin,' for its close relative A. tinctoria was the source of a commonly used rouge. Try it with garden heliotrope, roses and iris; you will love the intense blue. Late spring bloom. Well-drained soils.

By: Select Seeds

One could drive a truck over this long-lived awesome perennial without doing more harm than breaking its branches. Tough as nails & long-lived, it’s drought tolerant, deer proof & snail proof. Want more? Okay, lots of bright truest royal blue “Forget-Me-Not” flowers display for months on sturdy multi-branching stems. When it’s finished, cut it back to the foliage for a second performance as good as the first. Not fussy about soil but a yearly addition of compost makes it fantastic. Popular with swallowtails! Drought tolerant! Grows 4' tall X 3' wide.