Glandora prostrata

RHS Plant Profile
prostrate purple gromwell

Synonyms

Glandora diffusa misapplied
Lithodora prostrata
Lithospermum prostratum

Alpine Rockery Shrubs

A compact, mat-forming, shrubby evergreen shrub to around 15cm in height, with small, lance-shaped dark green leaves and a creeping habit. Five-petalled, star-shaped bright blue-purple flowers, with a purple stripe down the centre of each petal, appear from spring into summer. Great as part of an alternative hanging basket display of drought-tolerant succulents/alpines in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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
  • Hanging Basket
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free