Portland, OR (Zone 8b) | September 2014 | positive
I planted seeds about 5 years ago. Transplanted along a cyclone fence with good southern exposure, zone 8b. This plant comes back each ye...Read Morear and except for a little water every so often, I do nothing except enjoy the phenomenal color. It does not seem to spread, though that would be a bonus.
Burien (SW Seattle), WA (Zone 8b) | June 2012 | neutral
Concerned the cultivation info on this plant is in error. Google info says the plant can't be divided, but is propagated by root cutting...Read Mores and seeds.
Curious why my plants and flowers are bigger, floppier, and more dense than those pictured by other posters?
Carson City, NV (Zone 6b) | August 2010 | negative
I found this plant rather unpleasant because the stiff hairs are strong enough to penetrate skin and then break off, leaving the fibergla...Read Moress-like strands embedded in unwary fingers. Wear gloves when handling, particularly the dead leaves.
It has also been extremely difficult to get rid of this plant as it will grow back from it's deep tap roots. My plants were in pots set on the ground and the roots grew down into the ground. I broke them off when I moved the pot and a large clump of plants appeared there next spring.
Bloom can be prolonged with regular deadheading. Deadhead to lateral bud after flowers fade. Foliage becomes unsightly after blooming is ...Read Morefinished, and plant will benefit from being cut down to the ground at this point. Plant only in spring. This plant requires staking in most cases and easily qualifies as a high-maintenance "fussy" plant.
In zone 4/5 I found I needed to cut completely to the ground before snow. Those are the only ones to survive winter. The ones not cut at...Read More all and ones only cut to the basal clump apparently did not like the moisture trapped in the foliage that would then freeze/thaw.
I also discovered they respond to being cut back when flowers on the main stalks begin to fade. Cut all stalks to the ground and new flower stalks will be produced and bloom at a shorter heigth like delphiniums and centaurea montana.
The color of blue is irreplaceable.
A brightly colored hardy herbaceous perennial with lance shaped midgreen leaves, rough and hairy stems, and large bright blue flowers sim...Read Moreular to forget-me-nots displayed in large heads during midsummer.
Cultivation: Deep, fertile, well-drained soil in a suuny position is best. Anchusas need support from twiggy sticks. In autumn cut down to soil level.
Propagation: It is easily increased from stem rootings. These are best taken in winter, cutting roots in 2 inch long pieces. At the sem end of each cutting, make a flat cut at right angles to the stem, while at the root end form a slanting cut. Insert flat ends upwards in pots and put in cold frame.
Grew them from seeds. They are now blooming in my zone 7b garden. Lovely blue flowers!
I planted seeds about 5 years ago. Transplanted along a cyclone fence with good southern exposure, zone 8b. This plant comes back each ye...Read More
this is so pokey. :( very difficult to handle. the furry leaves are extremely irritating to my skin. wear thick gloves!
Concerned the cultivation info on this plant is in error. Google info says the plant can't be divided, but is propagated by root cutting...Read More
I found this plant rather unpleasant because the stiff hairs are strong enough to penetrate skin and then break off, leaving the fibergla...Read More
FLOWERED NICELY 2ND. YEAR
Italian Bugloss, Italian Alkanet, Summer Forget-Me-Not Anchusa azurea is Naturalized in Texas and other States.
Bloom can be prolonged with regular deadheading. Deadhead to lateral bud after flowers fade. Foliage becomes unsightly after blooming is ...Read More
In zone 4/5 I found I needed to cut completely to the ground before snow. Those are the only ones to survive winter. The ones not cut at...Read More
A brightly colored hardy herbaceous perennial with lance shaped midgreen leaves, rough and hairy stems, and large bright blue flowers sim...Read More