Moltkia doerfleri

RHS Plant Profile
Doerfler's moltkia

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Synonyms

Lithospermum doerfleri

Herbaceous Perennial
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A rhizomatous, woody-based perennial to 40cm tall, with wiry, upright stems and lance-shaped leaves. From late spring to midsummer, arching flowerspikes bear pendent, narrowly tubular, purple flowers. Grow in a Mediterranean or rock garden

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Boraginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Moltkia can be evergreen or deciduous, subshrubs or perennials, with simple, lance-shaped or linear leaves and funnel-shaped or tubular blue, purple or yellow flowers in late spring and early summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
N.E. Albania

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor, well-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet and cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back old top growth in winter

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free