Alkanet

Anchusa officinalis

Also known as Anchusa officinalis var. macrantha, bugloss, Anchusa officinalis var. angustior, dyer's alkanet

Native Plants · Blue Flowers · Pollinator Plant · Cottage Garden · Borage Family · Medicinal Herb · European Wildflower · Perennial Border · Shade Tolerant · Wildlife Garden

Alkanet is a hardy cottage-garden perennial that produces vivid blue flowers beloved by pollinators. It grows best in partial shade to dappled sun with well-drained soil, and is tolerant of average fertility — avoid overly rich soils that encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowering. Deadhead spent blooms to extend the flowering season and cut back hard after flowering to promote fresh basal growth.