Anagallis monellii 'Gentian Blue'

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blue pimpernel 'Gentian Blue'

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Herbaceous Perennial
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Compact, bushy, low-growing perennial to 15cm tall, with branching stems bearing opposite mid-green leaves and open, saucer-shaped, deep blue flowers produced on long stalks in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or 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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Primulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Trailing
Genus
Anagallis can be annuals or evergreen perennials of creeping habit, with small leaves and solitary, 5-petalled, saucer-shaped flowers
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in gritty, peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light; outdoors grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun and overwinter young plants in a cool greenhouse - plant out after the risk of frost has passed

Propagation

Propagate by softwood tip cuttings in spring or early summer; may be short-lived so propagate regularly

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Hanging Basket
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Coastal
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free