Anchusa capensis 'Blue Angel'

Anchusa capensis 'Blue Angel' is an easy-to-grow ornamental borage, native to much of South Africa's driest regions and into the Kingdom of Lesotho at elevations from sea level all the way to 10,000'. The sandpapery green-leaved basal rosettes give rise to 18" tall stalks in spring, which open to reveal a mass of cobalt blue flowers. After 4-6 weeks of flowering, cut the stalks back to the ground to start the process over again. Despite many references to Anchusa capensis as an annual, it's actually a perennial, with each rosette lasting between 3 and 5 years. Anchusa 'Blue Angel' also naturalizes well from seed, so as long as your soil is well drained, you'll never go wanting for the blues again.