Buglossoides purpurocaerulea

RHS Plant Profile
purple gromwell

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purple gromwell RHS

Other common names

creeping gromwell

Synonyms

Buglossoides purpurocaerulea, Lithodora buglossoides, Lithospermum purpureocaeruleum

Herbaceous Perennial
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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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Boraginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Name Status
Synonym
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