Family: Boraginaceae
Common Name: Hound's Tongue

From temperate zones, these rough-stemmed biennials and short-lived perennials have alternate, simple leaves and terminal, one-sided sprays of small blue, purple or white flowers. The foliage and stems are hairy and the fruits containing the seeds form a prickly burr which can stick to clothing or animal fur.

Species

C. amabile, Chinese forget-me-not, zone 7, is a biennial which grows to 60 cm (24 in), with lance-shaped or oblong leaves and small sprays of pink, blue or white flowers. Clear sky blue flowers are the most often seen.

C. nervosum, zone 5, a perennial to 1 m (3 ft), has lance-shaped or oblong leaves and bright blue flowers.

Cultivation

Cynoglossun+ likes good drainage and sun, though it will tolerate poor quality soil. Propagate from seed, sown in autumn in a garden frame for perennials, in spring in flowering positions for annuals and biennials. Perennials can also he divided in spring.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.