Anchusa azurea (Italian Bugloss)

If you love true blue flowers, do not overlook Anchusa azurea (Italian Bugloss). This pretty biennial or short-lived perennial forms loose clusters of tiny bright blue flowers, resembling those of forget-me-nots, on tall stems rising atop low clumps of large, deep green, hairy leaves. Blooming profusely for about 4 weeks in late spring to early summer, this Mediterranean native makes a beautiful background specimen for the sunny late spring border. Although short-lived, Anchusa azurea often self sows and remains present in the garden.

• Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 2 ft. wide (60 cm). May need staking.
• Performs best in full sun in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade, especially in hot summer areas. Thrives in rich and fertile soils but tends to grow taller and flop. Good soil drainage is essential to prevent rot issues. Drought tolerant!
• A welcomed addition to beds and borders or naturalized areas. Flowers may be added to salads.
• Keep an eye out for leaf-mining flies, powdery mildews. Attracts bees and butterflies, but deer and rabbits tend to ignore this plant.
• Deadheading of spent flowers will promote new blooms and prevent undesired self-seeding. To increase the longevity of this short-lived perennial, cut back to the crown after flowering, and divide plants every two or three years.
• Propagate by seed, root cuttings or by softwood cuttings from the base of young shoots.
• Native to Europe, North Africa, Asia.
• Main cultivars are:
  Anchusa ‘Dropmore’ with deep blue flowers on upright stems (3-4 ft. tall or 90-120cm)
  Anchusa ‘Feltham Pride’ with bright blue flowers on branching stems (36 in. tall or 90 cm)
  Anchusa ‘Little John’ with racemes of large, open cup-shaped dark blue flowers for a very long period (20 in. tall or 50 cm)
  Anchusa ‘Loddon Royalist’ with rich gentian-blue flowers on sturdy stems (3 ft. tall or 90 cm)
  Anchusa ‘Opal’ with pastel blue flowers on upright stems (48 in. tall or 120 cm)