How to Grow Anchusa

Anchusa is a perennial that grows to 4 feet and has clusters of intense blue flowers in early summer.

Things You'll Need

• Bypass Pruners
• Fertilizers
• Garden Hoses
• Mulch
• Plants

Instructions

Choosing Anchusa

1. Look for plants at nurseries in spring.

2. Buy anchusa in 4-inch to 1-gallon containers.

3. Choose healthy-looking plants with signs of new growth in leaves and flower buds.

Caring for Anchusa

1. Cut back stems after flowering to just above a set of leaves using bypass pruners.

2. Water with a mixture of liquid fish fertilizer (follow package directions) for more flowers.

3. Remove old foliage in spring, using bypass pruners to cut off the old stems.

4. Apply a light application of organic fertilizer on top of the soil in early spring (follow package directions).

5. Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost in spring.

6. Water well weekly until soil is completely moist in summers with no rainfall.

Planting Anchusa

1. Plant anchusa in full sun in well-drained soil.

2. Plant in a place with light afternoon shade in warm climates.

3. Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

4. Place the plants no deeper than they were growing in the containers.

5. Set the plants 1 foot apart.

6. Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.

7. Water well until soil is completely moist.