Scientific Name:
Lithodora diffusa
Pronunciation:
lith-oh-DOR-uh dy-FEW-sa
Common Name:
blue lithospermum
Family Name:
Boraginaceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen, Ground cover
Key ID Features:
Low, spreading groundcover; leaves alternate, sessile, pubescent, narrowly elliptic-oblong with rounded tips, most 20-25mm long x 3-6mm wide; flowers small with 5 deep blue, petals, most showy in April-May (plus sporadic blooms over summer).
Habit:
Spreading, Twiggy
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like, Weeping
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
1.5 - 2.0m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Alpine, Container planting, Erosion control, Ground cover, Group or mass planting, Mixed shrub border, Perennial border, Rock garden, Small garden/space, Spring interest
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Leathery, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Dark-green
Shapes:
Elliptic, Oblong
Apices:
Obtuse, Rounded
Bases:
Truncate
Margins:
Entire
Additional Info:
margins curved down
Inflorescence Type:
Cyme, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Salverform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Blue
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
cv White Star is bicolor
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Ovary separates into four tiny mericarps or "nutlets"
Bark Morphology:
Exfoliating, Multi-stem trunk
Bark or Stem Colour:
Brown
Additional Info:
Stems mostly less then 5mm wide locally
Propagation:
Seed, Softwood cuttings
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Mites (Disease resistant)
Course(s):
- HORT 2355
- Level 4 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (AGB) Acer Griseum Bed : cv. White Star
- (BUG) BUG garden : cv. Grace Ward
- (GAZ) GAZebo
- (GAZN) GAZebo North : q.3
- (HPZ) Horticulture PlaZa
- (PDW) PonD West