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Masses of intense, ultramarine-blue stars. A compact and drought-tolerant 'Summer Forget-Me-Not' that provides a rare true-blue splash for sunny borders.
Finding a genuine "true blue" in the flower world is surprisingly rare—most so-called blue flowers actually lean towards purple, violet, or lilac when you look closely. Anchusa 'Blue Angel' is the glorious exception. It produces masses of vivid, ultramarine-blue flowers that are so intensely saturated they almost look like they've been painted on. It's the kind of blue that makes you stop and stare.
Also known as the "Cape Forget-Me-Not" or "Summer Forget-Me-Not," this South African native is a bushy, compact plant that absolutely thrives in sunshine and heat. It creates a low mound of rough, textured foliage that becomes completely smothered in hundreds of tiny star-shaped blue flowers—a magnet for bees who can't resist the abundant nectar. It's remarkably tough, genuinely drought-tolerant once established, and perfect for adding that cool, electric splash of colour to hot, dry borders, gravel gardens, and containers.

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Understanding the Plant

Anchusa capensis 'Blue Angel' is a robust Hardy Annual (H3). While many blue garden flowers rely on lavender or violet pigments, this variety possesses an exceptional concentration of pure blue delphinidin, resulting in a hue that remains stable and saturated even in the brightest summer sun. It is biologically distinct from the taller perennial Anchusa species, maintaining a neat, mounded architecture (30-45cm) ideal for border fronts.
The South African Heritage: Originating from the Cape region, 'Blue Angel' is physiologically adapted to arid environments. It possesses a deep taproot and rough, bristly foliage designed to minimize transpiration. This makes it an elite performer for gravel gardens, rockeries, and the increasing number of UK gardens facing summer drought conditions.
Pollinator Superpower: As a member of the Boraginaceae (Borage) family, Anchusa is a premier RHS Plant for Pollinators asset. Its floral structure provides high-frequency nectar replenishment; British bees and hoverflies find it an irresistible resource, as the nectar reservoirs refill significantly faster than most other summer bedding plants.

Growing Guide

Anchusa develops a significant taproot and highly resents root disturbance; for this reason, careful management during the seedling stage is essential.
How to Sow:For earliest results, sow indoors from March to May using deep modules or root trainers to allow for vertical taproot development. Alternatively, direct sow outdoors in May once the soil has warmed. Lightly cover the seeds with 3mm of compost. Germination typically occurs within 14-21 days at 18-20°C. If starting indoors, transplant into final positions before the plants become root-bound.
Where to Plant:They demand full sun to develop their intense blue pigments and thrive in poor, sandy, or gritty soils. Lean soil is critical; over-fertilising with rich compost or manure will encourage lush green foliage at the expense of the flowers. Space plants 25cm apart. They are specialists of dry banks, pots, and sunny border edges where drainage is rapid.
The "Mid-Summer Haircut":To maintain a non-stop display, perform a professional rejuvenation in mid-summer. Once the first heavy flush of flowers begins to fade, shear the entire plant back by approximately 50%. Provide a deep watering afterwards, and the plant will respond by producing a fresh mound of foliage and a second wave of electric-blue stars that will last until the autumn.

Plant Specifications

Botanical Name

Anchusa capensis 'Blue Angel'

Common Name
Cape Forget-Me-Not / Summer Forget-Me-Not

Plant Type
Hardy Annual

Hardiness

H3 (Tolerates light frosts)

Light Requirements
Full Sun ☀️

Height
30cm - 45cm (Compact Mounded Habit)

Spread
25cm

Spacing
Plant 25cm apart

Flowering Period
June to August (to October with pruning)

Perfect For
High-Volume Pollinator Forage Authentic "True Blue" Themes Gravel Gardens & Sunny Rockeries High-Intensity Patio Containers

Seeds per Packet
Approximately 100 seeds

Beautiful Garden Combinations

Californian Poppy 'Golden West': The Colour Theory Clash. Blue and orange are complementary opposites. Pairing electric-blue Anchusa with the vivid gold and orange of Californian Poppies creates a high-energy display that looks professionally curated and vibrates with intensity in full summer sun.

Calendula 'Touch of Red' : The Jewel-Toned Duo. For a sophisticated aesthetic, pair the ultramarine stars with the mahogany-backed orange petals of this Calendula. Both are resilient, low-maintenance species that thrive in sunny, dry positions while providing essential support for local beneficial insects.

Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow in spring for a summer-long harvest of electric blue stars that will thrive through even the hottest, driest weeks of July and August.

Month
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Sow Indoors

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Flowering

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✨ Bristly Handling TipThe stems and foliage of Anchusa are covered in stiff, protective hairs. While non-toxic, they can be mildly irritating to sensitive skin. We recommend wearing gardening gloves when planting out or cutting back the plants to ensure a comfortable experience.

Robust Garden Stamina
Known for its stamina and ability to thrive in poor, dry soils, Anchusa capensis 'Blue Angel' is an essential choice for those wanting to create a romantic, low-maintenance garden that provides non-stop "true blue" interest for the border and containers.
Brand:Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden LtdCategory:AnnualSKU:ANC-BLUTags:Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd, Shopify Collective