Anchusa azurea

Anchusa azurea is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, known by the common names garden anchusa[1] and Italian bugloss (or just "bugloss"). It is a bristly perennial that may reach 1.5 meters tall and 60 centimeters wide.[2] It has straight lance-shaped leaves and petite tubular flowers about 15 millimeters across with five bright violet-blue petals.[3] These flowers, which typically appear in May–July, are edible and attract bees.[4] This species is native to Europe, western Asia, and eastern Maghreb[5] but is well-known elsewhere as a noxious weed. In Crete, it is called agoglossos (Greek: αγόγλωσσος) and the locals eat the tender stems boiled, steamed, or fried.

Anchusa azurea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Boraginales
Family:	Boraginaceae
Genus:	Anchusa
Species:	A. azurea
Binomial name
Anchusa azurea Mill.
Synonyms
Anchusa italica

The genus name Anchusa comes from the Greek 'ankousa', which is the name of a root pigment once used for cosmetic purposes.[6]

Numerous cultivars have been selected for garden use, of which 'Loddon Royalist' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7] Other cultivars include 'Dropmore', 'Feltham Pride', 'Little John', and 'Opal'.[8]

In the US, it's suitable for hardiness zones 3–8. It grows best in full sun with good drainage, and is drought tolerant once established.[8] It may be susceptible to leafminer and powdery mildew.[9]