Scientific Name: Lithodora diffusa
Common Name: blue lithospermum
Family Name: Boraginaceae
Origin: Europe
Hardiness Zone: Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Plant Type: Ground cover
Mature Size: 0.2 - 0.4m x 1.5 - 2.0m (height x width)
Habit: Spreading, Twiggy
Form: Creeping / Mat-like, Weeping
Texture: Fine
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
Exposure: Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil or Media: Acidic, Well-drained
Leaves: Simple, Alternate, Leathery, Pinnate venation, Pubescent, Elliptic, Oblong, Entire
Flowers: Cyme, Blue, Apr-May-Jun-Jul-Aug
Fruit: Schizocarp, Brown, Jul-Aug
Key ID Features:
Low, spreading ground cover; 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, Apr-May (plus sporadic blooms over summer).