Cerinthe major 'Kiwi Blue'
An upright annual to 60cm high, with slightly fleshy blue-green leaves pressed to the pale green stems. In spring and summer, produces nodding, tubular purple flowers, surrounded by clusters of bracts that develop over the season from blue-green to deep blue
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple Blue | Green Blue | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Blue | Green Blue | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Cerinthe can be annuals, biennials or perennials, with simple, often greyish leaves and tubular flowers borne in a pendent terminal cluster with conspicuous bracts
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun or light shade. Thrives in poor soils
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 13-18°C in spring, plant out when the danger of frost has passed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back after flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.