About Anchusa azurea Mill.
Anchusa azurea Mill. is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, commonly called garden anchusa and Italian bugloss, or simply bugloss. This bristly herbaceous perennial can grow up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall and 60 cm (24 in) wide. It produces straight lance-shaped leaves and small tubular flowers around 15 millimeters across, each with five bright violet-blue petals. These flowers, which typically bloom from May to July, are edible and attractive to bees. This species is native to Europe, western Asia, and eastern Maghreb. The genus name Anchusa derives from the Greek word 'ankousa', the name of a root pigment that was once used for cosmetic purposes. Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden cultivation, including 'Dropmore', 'Feltham Pride', 'Little John', 'Loddon Royalist' and 'Opal'. In the United States, this plant is suitable for hardiness zones 3 through 8. It grows best in full sun with well-draining soil, and is drought tolerant once it has become established. It can be susceptible to infestation by leafminer and infection by powdery mildew.
