Pentaglottis sempervirens

RHS Plant Profile
green alkanet

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Pentaglottis sempervirens?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
green alkanet RHS

Other common names

evergreen alkanet, evergreen bugloss

Synonyms

Anchusa sempervirens

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
1 Suppliers

A coarse, bristly, tap-rooted perennial with a basal rosette of pointed, oval leaves up to 40cm long. Upright stems carrying smaller leaves, are topped with sprays of bright blue, forget-me-not flowers in spring and early summer

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Boraginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Pentaglottis are robust, evergreen perennials with bristly leaves and stems and small flowers resembling forget-me-nots
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SW Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, damp soil in full or partial shade. Supports a range of wildlife, but can spread too enthusiastically and has the potential to become a nuisance. See green alkanet for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, division or root cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead to prevent self-seeding

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free