Anchusa
( an - KEW - suh )
At-A-Glance Information
Also called Alkanet or Bugloss, this genus of annuals, biennials, and perennials needs full sun and moderate water. They are strong growers, related to Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis). Vibrant sapphire-blue flowers bloom in late spring through summer. Easy to grow, these simply need to be planted in well-drained soil and cut back after bloom to encourage a second showing of blue flowers. In areas with high humidity, growth may be a bit stunted. The flowers will attract bees and butterflies to your garden, and are edible, making a great, colorful garnish for salads, drinks, and other dishes. Anchusa is native to Europe, North Africa, South Africa, and western Asia, and has naturalized in areas of the United States.
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Anchusa Species and Varietals
The genus Anchusa is comprised of about 35 species and is a member of the Boraginaceae (Borage) family. There are four subgenera in the genus Anchusa: Buglossum, Buglossoides, Buglosellum, and Anchusa. Anchusa growing zones vary by species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Anchusa arvensis (Alkanet, Field Bugloss, Annual Bugloss, Small Bugloss) This annual species reaches about 1.5 feet tall and has small, blue, tubular flowers. Leaves have many bristles, and look as though they have warts, differentiating this species from otherwise similar-looking ones. Alkanet is native to Europe, and prefers growing in field margins, sandy heaths, and disturbed ground. |
Anchusa azurea (Anchusa italica) (Italian Bugloss, Garden Anchusa) This perennial grows best in zones 1-24 and is native to the Mediterranean. It has an open, spreading habit 3-5 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Leaves are covered with bristly hairs, and clusters of bright blue flowers bloom for a long period in summertime. Bloom continues into fall if conditions are favorable. Popularly-grown varieties include 'Dropmore', 'Opal', and 'Loddon Royalist', each with varying shades of blue flowers. |
Anchusa capensis (Summer Forget-Me-Not) This is a biennial plant in zones 6-24 and an annual elsewhere. Native to South Africa, where it can be seen growing along roadways. Reaches 1.5 feet tall and just 8 inches wide. Bright blue flowers with white throats bloom in clusters. These prefer dry, sandy soils and can be weedy, but the blooms are a great addition to any garden. Bees love these plants, making them great additions to pollinator gardens. |
Anchusa sempervirens (Pentaglottis, Green Alkanet, Evergreen Bugloss, Alkanet) This species, once in the Anchusa genus, is now sometimes categorized under its own genus, Pentaglottis, for which it is the type species. It is native to southwestern Europe, and blooms in early spring to summer. Blue flowers open from pink buds. These plants love growing in woods, and in damp, shaded areas close to buildings or other structures. It is considered a weed in some areas of the world. |
Anchusa strigosa (Strigose Bugloss, Prickly Alkanet) This species is native to the eastern Mediterranean, where it grows in heavy soils, woodlands, shrub-steppe environments, and in sandy and chalkstone habitats. It is often a bit straggly-looking, and is therefore not commonly cultivated in gardens. |
Caring for Anchusa
Anchusa is a relatively easy-care plant that needs full sun and well-draining soil for best performance. It is better in poor soil than rich; in the latter it tends to get leggy and flop over. Anchusa is drought tolerant, only needing regular watering before it is established. The only pruning that is needed for these plants is to control growth, improve shape (if desired) and to remove spent flower heads. Deadheading can clean up the look of the plant as well as discourage self-sowing activities. With maturity, these plants may get a little leggy and top-heavy and may need to be staked. Pruning can also create a more bush-like, compact habit, negating the need for staking.
Propagation
Anchusa is most easily propagated via seed or division. Keep in mind that the Anchusa plant you get from seed may not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant; if you'd like a clone of your current Bugloss, choose to propagate by division.
Propagating Anchusa by Seed
Propagating Anchusa by Division
Division is probably the easiest way to propagate these plants. The idea behind this method is that you are taking an existing clump of live plants and breaking it into smaller segments. This is something you will want to do whether or not you are looking to propagate; otherwise, the roots will become too crowded. Division should be attempted only when the plant is not in its blooming period. To use this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw, extra pots if you are not going to immediately plant your divisions in the ground, and well-draining soil. To propagate your Anchusa by division, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Anchusa by Seed
- Harvest your seeds in summer or fall, after your flowers have had ample time to be pollinated. You will notice seed pods developing in the place of the flowers, and once these have dried and begun to open, you can harvest them from your plant. See the images below for reference. Harvest as many as you can, as they will probably not all sow, and the ones that do will be of varying characteristics, especially with hybrid-variety seeds. The more seeds you plant, the more chances you will have to get the resulting Achusa plant you desire.
- To propagate by seed, you will need a pot or tray filled with potting soil, a spray bottle and a fork. Gather your materials, and then water your pots to ensure that adequate draining is taking place. Put your seeds on the top of the soil in groups of three, spaced about 8 inches apart.
- Cover the seeds with potting soil and keep the soil moist but not wet by spraying it with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit) that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 21-28 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, or thin them in a larger pot so that they are spaced about 20 inches apart. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling. Continue potting up as the plants grow to give them enough space for their roots.
- Keep the seedlings' potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle, switching to a hose or tp when they have grown to a size where their roots are strong enough to not be disturbed by the stronger flow. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home, either outdoors or inside as a house plant. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new propagated Bugloss.
Propagating Anchusa by Division
Division is probably the easiest way to propagate these plants. The idea behind this method is that you are taking an existing clump of live plants and breaking it into smaller segments. This is something you will want to do whether or not you are looking to propagate; otherwise, the roots will become too crowded. Division should be attempted only when the plant is not in its blooming period. To use this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw, extra pots if you are not going to immediately plant your divisions in the ground, and well-draining soil. To propagate your Anchusa by division, follow the instructions below:
- Identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the roots. Once you've gotten your clump out of the ground, lay it out on its side.
- Divide the clump into segments, either with your shovel or with a pruning saw, as many as you'd like as long as there are at least a few 'shoots' per segment. Inspect each segment to ensure health and lay them out on the ground.
- If you will be planting your Anchusa in the ground, this is when you'll prepare your new hole. Dig a hole (large enough to accommodate the root ball of the clump you are planting) in the ground with your shovel in a sunny location with soil that is well-draining. If you have issues with drainage in your garden, amend with compost or sand before planting. Backfill and water generously.
- If you are transporting your division elsewhere, or hanging on to it until you're ready to plant it, you'll need your pot filled with potting soil. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball of your division, and place your new plant in the soil. Water generously, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the pot in a sunny location until you are ready to plant it in the ground.
Problems and Pests
Bugloss does not have many issues, but is susceptible to a few problems once in a while, including:
- Powdery Mildew
- Leaf Miners
Gallery
Videos
An alternate way to sow Anchusa seeds.
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Resources
Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist' (Bugloss)
Anchusa azurea
Wikipedia: Anchusa
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 151, Anchusa
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