Bugloss 'Loddon Royalist' Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist'
![bugloss 'Loddon Royalist'](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b5bf6b3dc2.png&w=3840&q=75)
ABOUT
'Loddon Royalist' is an herbaceous perennial with coarsely hairy, lance-shaped, mostly basal leaves. Intense deep blue flowers 15mm across are borne on erect, branching stems
About this plant
Names
Family
Boraginaceae
Synonyms
Italian Bugloss, Large Blue Alkanet, Garden Anchusa
Common names
Anchusa italica, Anchusa italica 'Loddon Royalist'.
Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
3-4 feet (90-120 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist' is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
- Drought Resistant: Once established, this perennial has good tolerance to drought conditions.
- Easy to Grow: It is generally easy to cultivate and does not require expert gardening skills.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care other than occasional watering and deadheading to promote further blooming.
- Ornamental Value: With its vibrant blue flowers, it adds striking color and aesthetic appeal to any garden.
- Long Blooming Period: It has a long flowering season, typically from late spring to early summer.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides shelter and breeding grounds for wildlife, especially for nectar-seeking species.
- Cottage Garden Ideal: Perfect for a traditional cottage garden look due to its height and structure.
- Cut Flowers: Its stems and flowers are suitable for cutting and using in floral arrangements.
- Herbaceous Perennial: As a herbaceous perennial, it dies back in winter and returns in spring, providing a reliable garden feature yearly.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist', also known as Italian bugloss, can be used as a natural fabric dye, delivering a range of colors from muted lavenders to deep purples depending on the mordant used.
- Its striking deep blue flowers provide an edible decoration for salads and desserts, adding both color and a mild cucumber-like flavor.
- The Italian bugloss can be used in companion planting to attract pollinators, which benefits surrounding vegetable and fruit crops by improving pollination.
- The plant can be used in floral arrangements, as the vibrant blue flowers can add dramatic height and color to a bouquet.
- The dried stems and flowers of Italian bugloss can be used in potpourri mixes to add a subtle aroma and a touch of natural color to a room.
- In a wildlife garden, Italian bugloss can provide a valuable nectar source for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects during summer months.
- You can use the root extracts of Italian bugloss for making a natural plant ink for art and craft purposes, with varying shades achievable through concentration adjustments.
- The visual appeal of Italian bugloss makes it suitable for ornamental borders in garden designs that aim to recreate wildflower meadows.
- For educational projects, Italian bugloss can be a subject in studies about plant biology and pollination due to its attractiveness to bees and flowering patterns.
- When used as ground cover in appropriate climates, Italian bugloss can potentially prevent soil erosion due to its root system.
Interesting Facts
Feng Shui
The Italian Bugloss is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Italian Bugloss is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Forsaken Love: Anchusa azurea, commonly known as Italian Bugloss, sometimes represents forsaken or forgotten love, likely due to its intense blue flowers that can inspire thoughts of melancholy.
- Delicacy: The delicate nature of the Italian Bugloss's blooms may signify the fragile aspect of life or relationships.
Water
For the Italian Bugloss (Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist'), regular watering is key to keeping the plant healthy, especially during dry spells. Aim to water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time, which is roughly 0.6 gallons per square yard. During hot or windy weather, it might be necessary to water more frequently, as the soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. It is best to water the plant in the morning to allow any excess moisture on the foliage to evaporate during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
Light
Italian Bugloss thrives best in full sun to light shade conditions. To promote vigorous growth and abundant flowering, position the plant in a spot where it can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. An east- or west-facing garden bed would be ideal, ensuring the plant enjoys the gentle morning or evening sun while avoiding the intense midday rays in hotter climates.
Temperature
Italian Bugloss prefers moderate temperatures and can survive a range from approximately 28°F to 90°F. However, the ideal temperature range for this plant is between 50°F and 75°F. It is frost-hardy down to about 28°F, but extended periods of cold below this temperature can damage the plant. During the summer months, ensure that the plant has sufficient water to cope with temperatures reaching toward the upper end of its tolerance.
Pruning
Prune Italian Bugloss after the first flowering to encourage a second bloom, typically cutting back by one-third to maintain a bushy habit and remove spent flower stalks. This can be done in late spring or early summer, after the first flush of blooms has faded. Deadheading throughout the growing season can also promote more blooms.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Italian Bugloss (Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist') prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of garden soil, compost, and a handful of perlite or coarse sand enhances drainage and fertility.
Repotting
Italian Bugloss doesn't often need repotting as it is usually grown as a biennial or short-lived perennial. Repotting is typically done if the plant has outgrown its container or the soil needs refreshing, generally every couple of years.
Humidity & Misting
Italian Bugloss thrives in average humidity levels found in outdoor environments and doesn't require special humidity considerations. It performs well when outdoor conditions provide natural airy circulation.
Suitable locations
Indoor
Provide bright light and good air flow.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, enrich soil, and space well.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA.
Life cycle
The life cycle of Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist', commonly known as Italian Bugloss or Large Blue Alkanet, begins with seed germination in late winter to early spring, given the right conditions of moisture and temperature. Upon germination, seedlings develop a rosette of hairy, lance-shaped leaves. As the plant matures, it sends up flowering stalks in late spring to early summer, which can reach up to 1-1.5 meters in height and are covered with clusters of vivid blue, funnel-shaped flowers that are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into nutlet fruits containing seeds that will be dispersed to propagate the next generation. The plant is capable of self-seeding if the conditions are suitable. Italian Bugloss is a perennial, which means it can survive for several years, going through a period of dormancy in winter where above-ground parts die back, to regrow from its root system the following spring.
Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist', commonly known as Italian Bugloss, is by seed. Seeds can be directly sown in the garden where plants are desired to grow during the spring when the soil temperature has reached about 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 21 degrees Celsius). To ensure a good sowing, the seeds should be distributed evenly and not planted too deep; a light covering of soil or simply pressing them into the soil surface is sufficient. Watering should be done gently to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Seedlings usually emerge in two to three weeks, at which point they may require thinning to ensure that the plants have enough space to develop properly. This direct sowing method capitalizes on the robust nature of these seeds and will typically yield healthy, flowering plants in their first year.