Family: Boraginaceae

These seven species of small shrubs or trailers from south-west Europe and Asia Minor are grown for their brilliant blue flowers, mainly as spillover or groundcover plants.

Species

The usual Lithodora grown is L. diffusa 'Heavenly Blue'. A prostrate plant, good for groundcover, it produces rich, royal blue flow­ers in late spring and summer.

L. oleifolia, from the Pyrenees in France, is a small shrub, to 25 cm (10 in), with light blue flowers in summer.

Cultivation

Lithodora needs well-drained soil, slightly alkaline, but acid for L. diffusa, and full sun. Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in spring.

Climate

Zone 7.