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ShrubsAlpine Rockery

Glandora diffusa (Lag.) D.C. Thomas

purple gromwell

A prostrate, evergreen shrub with branching stems forming a low, spreading mat clothed in narrow, hairy leaves to 2.5cm long. Small, intense blue, funnel-shaped flowers to 1cm wide are borne just above the foliage from late spring into summer

Other common names
gentian gromwell
Synonyms
Lithospermum diffusum
Lithodora diffusa

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Green
Summer Blue Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Boraginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus

A genus of flowering, evergreen, shrubby plants from borage family. They are cultivated for their five-lobed, funnel-shaped, blue or white flowers produced in cymes in summer. Leaves are linear, lance-shaped or elliptic, densely hairy

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, acidic to neutral soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Garden edging
Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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