This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moist, fertile, well-drained
• Rate of growth: vigorous
• Flowering period: June
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Sturdy stems of deep blue summer flowers, turning blue-purple with age, appear in early summer above rosettes of mid-green leaves. This large blue alkanet makes a striking and long-lasting statement in a sunny border and does not need staking. The flowers are attractive to bees, too.
  
  
• Garden care: Anchusas don’t like wet soil. Deadhead after flowering to encourage a second flush of flowers and in early autumn cut the stems back down to the ground.