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Herbaceous Perennial

Buglossoides purpurocaerulea

purple gromwell

A perennial which spreads by means of creeping runners. Stems of narrow leaves are topped by small tubular flowers that open to five lobes of gentian-blue in spring and early summer

Other common names
creeping gromwell
Synonyms
Lithodora buglossoides
Lithospermum purpureocaeruleum
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Green
Summer Blue Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Boraginaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming
Genus

Buglossoides can be annuals or perennials, with bristlyleaves and small, funnel-shaped blue or white flowers in simple or branched terminal cymes in spring or summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
W Europe to Iran

How to grow

Cultivation

Prefers light, well-draining soil and tolerates chalk in sun or partial shade. May spread

Propagation

Propagate by division or propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Banks and slopes
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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