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Lithodora

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  • TheveggardenerTheveggardener Posts: 1,057
    I have the Heavenly Blue and was perching for which soil and came across this from the RHS don't know it it helps.Lithodora diffusa'Heavenly Blue'

    purple gromwell 'Heavenly Blue'

     
    purple gromwell Heavenly Blue

    © RHS 2002

    • Other common namespurple gromwell 'Heavenly Blue'

    • SynonymsLithospermum diffusum 'Heavenly Blue' 
      Lithospermum 'Heavenly Blue'

    • FamilyBoraginaceae

    • GenusLithodora are evergreen shrubs or sub-shrubs, with 5-lobed blue or white flowers in early spring to summer

    • Details'Heavenly Blue' is a prostrate evergreen shrub forming a wide mat up to 15cm in height, with small, hairy leaves and abundant, vivid deep blue flowers 12mm in width

    Characteristics

    • FoliageEvergreen

    • HabitMat forming

    • Hardiness

      H5

    Colour

    Colour in Autumn

    • Plant colour

      foliage

    Colour in Spring

    • Plant colour

      flower

    • Plant colour

      foliage

    Colour in Summer

    • Plant colour

      flower

    • Plant colour

      foliage

    Colour in Winter

    • Plant colour

      foliage

    Sunlight

    • Full Sun

    • AspectSouth-facing or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing

    • ExposureExposed or Sheltered

    Soil

    • Loam

      Loam

      •  
    • Sand

      Sand

    • MoistureWell-drained

    • SoilLoam, Sand

    • pHAcid, Neutral

    Size

    • Ultimate height0.1-0.5 metres

    • Ultimate spread0.1-0.5 metres

    • Time to ultimate height5-10 years

    Oops that was longer than I thought Sorryyyyyyyyyyyy.
  • GraemeCGraemeC Posts: 55
    Ive never tested my soil for acidity, I guess it must be neutral or acidic if these plants are thriving. curious now to find out for sure...

    how do u test it?
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    I grow a plant requiring similar conditions to Lithodora..... Buglossoides purpureocaerulea .
    Well worth an attempt if you can source it .
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Graeme, you can buy soil testing kits at any good GC. They are easy to use.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • GraemeCGraemeC Posts: 55
    @Ladybird4 hi, I will grab one next time im round my local one. 
  • BerkleyBerkley Posts: 431
    I grow my lithodora in containers of ericaceous compost - but they don’t do well. Do they need full sun? Or am I watering them too much maybe? I put them under cover for the Winter and lost three. The others survived but are struggling. I would love to grow them well ....
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Hi Berkley. Lithodoras will not be too happy in full sun so it sounds as though yours are in the right position. What type of ericaceous compost do you use? If it is a peat based one then it may dry out far too quickly. A soil based compost would be better. They like a sandy, free draining compost best. Ericaceous fertiliser will suit them too.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • GraemeCGraemeC Posts: 55
    hey, mine are in full sun on a south facing bed. they are in really sandy, fairly dry soil though i dont know the PH of it.

    I just leave as they are through winter too

    G

  • BerkleyBerkley Posts: 431
    Thank you, Ladybird 44. You have given me something to think about. Unfortunately I’ve just finished (and thrown away!) the bag of compost but will make sure I replace it with a soil-based one.
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    You are most welcome.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
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