Alkanet

Description

Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) is a hardy, long-lived perennial and a familiar sight in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland edges. Also known as Evergreen Bugloss, this attractive member of the borage family is valued for its vivid blue flowers and its ability to thrive in shaded, damp conditions where many other plants struggle.

Naturally found along woodland margins, shady paths, and garden boundaries, Green Alkanet is well-suited to informal and wildlife-friendly planting schemes. It is often mistaken for similar plants such as Comfrey, Forget-me-not, or Brunnera due to its bright blue blooms and rough-textured leaves.
Flowering from late spring through summer and into autumn, it provides a long season of colour. The nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to pollinating insects, particularly bees, making them a valuable addition to any nature garden.

How to Identify

Green Alkanet forms a clump of large, coarse, dark green leaves arranged in a basal rosette. In mild winters, this foliage often remains evergreen, giving the plant year-round interest.
From spring onwards, upright, bristly stems rise above the leaves, carrying loose clusters of small, star-shaped flowers. Each bloom is a striking bright blue with a distinctive white centre, closely resembling the flowers of forget-me-nots.

Plants typically grow to around 60–90cm tall and have a slightly spreading habit. A key identifying feature is the plant’s rough, hairy leaves and stems, which give it a sturdy, textured appearance.

How to Grow

Green Alkanet is an easy and adaptable plant to grow, particularly in partial shade or dappled sunlight. It thrives best in moist, fertile soils, but is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including heavier clay soils.

Thanks to its deep taproot, Green Alkanet can establish well in damp places and is relatively drought-tolerant once established. This taproot also allows the plant to regrow readily if cut back, so it requires little ongoing care.

Plant in spring or autumn for best results. Once established, it will often self-seed, gently naturalising in borders and wild areas. If space is limited, occasional thinning may be needed to keep plants in check.
Green Alkanet works wonderfully in cottage gardens, wildlife borders, and informal planting schemes, where its long flowering season and pollinator-friendly blooms can be fully appreciated.