Also known as Bugloss · 117 gardener saves
Anchusa: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Anchusa, the genus most gardeners know as bugloss. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Anchusa varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedItalian Bugloss
Anchusa azurea
#2 most savedLoddon Royalist Anchusa
Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist'
#3 most savedCape Forget-me-not
Anchusa capensis 'Blue Angel'
How to grow Anchusa
What the Anchusa varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Anchusa year
- StakeMay67% of varieties
Provide support for tall stems before they get heavy with flowers to prevent flopping.
- DeadheadJune and July67% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to encourage reblooming, but leave some to self-seed.
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Deadhead to encourage more blooms
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Water regularly, especially during dry spells 💧
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Don’t neglect pruning after flowering
- Keep away from heavy, waterlogged soils
- Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Anchusa
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap organic remedy |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves with soft, decayed roots | Improve soil drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Use organic fungicide or improve air circulation |
Making more Anchusa
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2 weeks
- Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks
Division
- Divide clumps in early spring or fall
- Replant divisions immediately in prepared soil
- Water thoroughly after planting
Anchusa questions
How many types of Anchusa are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Anchusa varieties. The most popular — ranked by 117 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Anchusa grow in?
Across its varieties, Anchusa covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Anchusa bloom?
Most Anchusa varieties bloom in early summer, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Anchusa should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Anchusa in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
