False Forget-Me-Not

Eritrichium canum (often sold as E. carum) is a beautiful tuberous-rooted perennial that is a delight for alpine enthusiasts in the UK. It forms low mounds of narrow, grey-green, hairy foliage. In mid to late summer, it is topped with stunning, intense sky-blue flowers that look like a larger, more vibrant versions of a forget-me-not, often with a small white or yellow eye. It typically grows to 20-30cm. While it is hardy (H4), it is very sensitive to winter wet, which can cause the tuberous roots to rot. Consequently, it is most successfully grown in a scree garden, a very well-drained alpine trough, or in a pan in a cold alpine house where its water intake can be controlled. It requires full sun and a gritty, free-draining soil. It is a rewarding plant for those who can provide the right drainage, offering a splash of rare, true-blue colour in the height of summer. It is often treated as a short-lived perennial but can be maintained by taking offsets.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Very gritty, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug.