Dropmore Italian Alkanet is a hardy perennial flower with vivid blue blooms that dance above sturdy stems from spring through summer. This heirloom cultivar of Anchusa azurea thrives in zones 4 and beyond, handling drought and poor soil with remarkable resilience. Standing 3 to 5 feet tall with a compact 2-foot spread, it needs only full sun and low water to reward you with continuous nectar-rich flowers that pollinators adore.
1
Full Sun
Low
4-4
60in H x 24in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Brilliant blue flowers bloom steadily from March through August without fussing, and this variety laughs at drought and deer. The sturdy stems rise 3 to 5 feet high, creating bold vertical interest in any garden bed. Unlike many ornamentals, Dropmore Italian Alkanet requires no fertilizer and tolerates the neglect that makes gardening actually enjoyable.
Dropmore Italian Alkanet shines as a cutting flower and a nectar source for honeybees and wild pollinators. The long stems and prolific blooming habit make it excellent for fresh arrangements, while in the garden it serves as a focal point for pollinator plantings and cottage garden designs.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date, keeping soil at 65 to 70°F. Seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost has passed and soil has warmed.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting. Transplant after your last spring frost when soil is workable, spacing plants 1 inch apart, though mature plants will require more room.
Direct sow seeds mid-to-late spring or in late summer for fall establishment. Sow at a depth of 1/16 inch and keep soil consistently moist until germination occurs in 7 to 14 days.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.