Anchusa capensis
Images by part: leaf (1) · flower (2) · fruit (0) · bark (0) · habit (0) · other (0)

Anchusa capensis

Annual anchusa · Summer-forget-me-not · Cape alkanet · Cape bugloss · Cape-forget-me-not

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
15–35 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 7–10
Click count
2
Observations
3

Description

Source: wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Anchusa capensis, is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, native to Namibia, South Africa and Lesotho. The genus Anchusa is from the Greek word anchousa, which makes reference to its use as a dye base for cosmetic paint obtained from the roots of another plant in the genus Anchusa tinctoria. The species capensis translates to ‘from the Cape’ referring to South Africa

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Cape bugloss is a perennial herbaceous plant that enjoys sunlight and comes from open habitats, often flourishing in meadows and grasslands. It prefers full sun but can also withstand partial sun.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 15–35°C

Cape bugloss can tolerate a broad range of temperatures, but its distribution may still be constrained by certain combinations of moisture and heat. It does best in warm summers with sufficient rainfall or watering. Extended stretches of cloudy, rainy weather, as well as prolonged high temperatures, can raise the likelihood of Cape bugloss dying. In winter, protecting it from cold can improve its survival rate.

Ideal temperature: 15–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

Early spring, when Cape bugloss is coming out of dormancy and starting active growth, is the best time to fertilize. Fertilizing supplies essential nutrients for healthy growth. Even though Cape bugloss has relatively low fertilizer requirements, yearly fertilization can improve its survival and encourage better, longer-lasting flowers.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Cape bugloss is distinguished by its vibrant blue flowers. To promote healthy growth, prune the plant in early to late spring after the last frost, making sure to remove any dead stems. Thinning the plant is important to enhance air circulation, which helps minimize the risk of disease. Regularly deadhead the flowers to extend the blooming period and maintain a healthier appearance. For the best results, follow the regional guidelines specific to your area.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Anchusa
Family
Boraginaceae
Hardiness Zone
7-10
Mature Height
20 cm to 46 cm
Mature Spread
25 cm to 30 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Semi-evergreen
Flower Color
Blue, Purple
Flower Size
1.02 cm to 1.52 cm
Bloom Time
Mid spring, Late spring, Summer, Early fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Summer, Fall
Native Area
South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana

Tags (5)

Common Names (7)

en Annual anchusa
en Summer-forget-me-not
en Cape alkanet
en Cape bugloss
en Cape-forget-me-not
en Cape forget-me-not
en Summer forget-me-not