This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: moist but well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: May to July
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Forming an attractive clump of upright, near-black stems, which are woven along their length with slender, deep green leaves, each with a silvery white stripe that runs along its length. The leaves become paler as they mature, and then, in late Spring and early Summer, pointed buds open to dazzling blue star-shaped flowers. A useful perennial for adding form and colour towards the front of a border.
  
  
• Garden care: if the plants are starting to look floppy after they have flowered, they can be cut back to new basal foliage. Alternatively, they can be givven a lighter trim, cutting them back to form neat domes. Lift and divide (when necessary) in Spring or Autumn.