Anchusa 'Blue Angel' Seeds

Anchusa capensis is a Hardy Annual (H3), though it can sometimes behave as a short-lived perennial in very mild, sheltered spots.

It's important to distinguish 'Blue Angel' from its much taller cousin Anchusa azurea (sometimes called 'Dropmore'), which is a towering perennial. 'Blue Angel' is a compact, bushy variety (reaching only 30-45cm) that's been specifically bred as a bedding and container plant. It belongs to the Borage family (Boraginaceae), sharing the same characteristic rough, hairy stems and exceptional nectar production that makes the entire family absolute favorites with pollinators.

The South African Connection: Originating from the Cape region of South Africa, this plant is naturally built to handle dry, sandy conditions and blazing sunshine. This makes it an absolutely excellent choice for gravel gardens, rockeries, or those tricky hot spots in your garden where other plants struggle.

Anchusa develops a taproot system, which means it really prefers not to be disturbed once it's established and growing well.

How to Sow:
You can sow indoors from March to May for earlier flowers, or sow directly outdoors in May once the soil has warmed up properly. If you're sowing indoors, use deep module trays or root trainers to accommodate that developing taproot—shallow seed trays won't work well. Cover the seeds lightly with compost and keep them warm (around 18°C). Germination usually takes 14-21 days.

Where to Plant:
Anchusa absolutely insists on full sun—it simply won't flower well in shade. It genuinely hates heavy, waterlogged clay soil but absolutely thrives in poor, sandy, or gritty conditions. In fact, if you over-feed it with rich compost or manure, you'll get lots of lush leafy growth but disappointingly few of those stunning blue flowers. Lean soil is the secret to success!

The Mid-Summer Haircut:
Here's a professional trick: after the first generous flush of flowers has faded (usually mid-summer), take a pair of shears and cut the whole plant back quite hard—remove about half the growth. Water it well afterwards, and it will often reward you with a completely fresh second flush of blooms in late summer or early autumn, extending your display beautifully.

Ongoing Care:
Once established, Anchusa is genuinely low-maintenance. It doesn't need feeding, rarely needs watering (except in extreme drought), and isn't bothered by pests or diseases. Just let it do its thing!

The intense, electric blue of Anchusa needs bright, contrasting companions to really make it shine:

• 🧡 Californian Poppy 'Golden West': The complementary clash of color theory at its finest! Blue and orange sit opposite each other on the colour wheel, which means they make each other appear incredibly vibrant. Plant Anchusa's electric blue next to the bright orange and gold of Californian Poppies and watch both colours absolutely sing. The combination creates a vibrating, high-energy display that looks absolutely stunning in full sunshine. Both plants also share a love of poor, dry soil!
• 🌼 Calendula 'Touch of Red': Another stunning warm-and-cool contrast. The burnished orange petals with deep mahogany-red reverses of 'Touch of Red' create a sophisticated, jewel-toned partnership with the ultramarine blue of Anchusa. Both are low-growing, low-maintenance, and absolutely adored by beneficial insects, making this pairing both beautiful and practical for organic pest control.

Sow indoors in spring or direct sow in May. Flowers from June to August.