Submitted by Beth Willis

Large Blue Alkanet, or Anchusa azurea (syn. Anchusa italica), is a hardy perennial native to the Mediterranean. Its attention-grabbing blooms are a vivid blue, a rare color in the garden. As a member of the Borage family, it is closely related to such plants as Heliotrope, Pulmonaria, and Forget-Me-Not. In fact, it is sometimes referred to as Italian Borage or Summer Forget-Me-Not because it bears such a striking resemblance to those plants. Any gardener in search of that elusive true-blue color should take a closer look at this plant.

Anchusa produces loose clusters of bright blue blooms from spring to early summer. Cutting the plant back after the bloom fades will encourage a second flowering, which can extend the bloom into autumn. It typically grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet, although some cultivars have a more compact structure. Its stems rise above basal foliage, and both its stems and lance-shaped leaves are somewhat hairy. The blooms are attractive to bees.

Hardy throughout the Southeast and Midwest, Anchusa should be planted in areas of partial shade to full sun. In hotter climates, it can benefit from afternoon shade. It is not particular about soil, but prefers a moist, well-drained site. Established plants are drought-tolerant. Taller varieties may require staking to prevent breakage. Foliage will fade after blooming, and should be cut back. Plants should be cut completely back in winter, especially in colder climates, because Anchusa does not tolerate freezing moisture well.

Several cultivars of Anchusa are commercially available. ‘Dropmore Variety’ is perhaps the most common, reaching a full height of 3 to 5 feet and blooming from June to July. ‘Loddon Royalist’ is smaller, reaching only 3 feet, and may not require staking. It has larger blooms than other varieties. ‘Feltham Pride’ is a recently developed cultivar that is more compact and branching than others.

Anchusa can be propagated by seed, division, or root cuttings, although some cultivars will not come true from seed. It will reseed itself readily in the garden, or seed can be collected by bagging the seed-head before it matures. Collected seed should be thoroughly dried, stored in a cool, dry place, and then planted in the spring. Division is best carried out in the spring, while root cuttings can be started anytime.

Beth Willis is a graduate student in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences. She works under the guidance of Dr. Susan Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens. The UT Gardens are a project of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station. The original gardens are located in Knoxville on Neyland Drive. Additional gardens are located in Jackson on Airways Blvd. Admission is free, and the Gardens are open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours.

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