Anagallis monellii 'Skylover'
blue pimpernell
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or general-purpose compost
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: June to October
- Hardiness: tender perennial (will need winter protection)
Eye-catching vivid blue flowers appear almost non-stop from late spring to the first frosts on this neatly creeping perennial. Easy to care for requiring little or no deadheading, Anagallis can be used at the front of borders and rockeries or drifted under spring-flowering shrubs and bulbs to extend the period of interest.
With a neat and compact habit the slightly springy stems make this an ideal addition to pots, window boxes and even hanging baskets where the creeping stems can gently cascade over the edges. Best flowering in full sun though it will also tolerate some light shade.
With a neat and compact habit the slightly springy stems make this an ideal addition to pots, window boxes and even hanging baskets where the creeping stems can gently cascade over the edges. Best flowering in full sun though it will also tolerate some light shade.
Grow on under glass until all risk of frost has passed and they can then either be planted outside into a well-prepared bed, or used to fill decorative pots and hanging baskets for the patio. Pinching out the growing tips will encourage them to become bushier, and feeding with a high-potash fertiliser at regular intervals throughout the summer will promote even more flowers to form. Take care not to overwater in the early stages. Although these can be successfully over-wintered in a frost-free, well-lit location once established, we advise treating them as annuals.