A compact, clump-forming, deciduous herbaceous perennial to 30cm, with deeply divided, glossy dark green leaves and short, upright stems bearing racemes of hooded, bright blue flowers in late summer
0.1-0.5 metres
0.1-0.5 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Grows best in deep, cool, moisture-retentive soil in partial shade, but will also tolerate most soils and full sun if soil is humus-rich and protected with mulch to ensure that it is moist throughout the growing season; use protective gloves
Propagate by division in autumn or late winter; division every few years may encourage good flowering stems, though plants may be slow to re-establish; use protective gloves
No pruning required except cutting back dead stems; use protective gloves
Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to aphids
Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to fungal stem rot, powdery mildews, and Verticillium wilt