buds when flowers fade to keep plants
looking fresh. Foliage declines if
grown in too dry a soil, thus requiring
deadleafing. If damage is severe, cut
plants down to basal foliage. Plants
may also need pruning back due to
damage from painted lady butterfly
larvae.
other maintenance One of the
few gray-foliaged plants that doesn’t
rot in moist soils or humid conditions;
in fact, this species requires evenly
moist soils, or the foliage will decline.
Clumps increase at a moderate rate, but
plants do not send out invasive stolons
like other Anaphalis species. Divide
every 4–5 years in early spring. Do not
prune for winter; cut back in early
spring.
related plantS Anaphalis
triplinervis ‘Sommerschnee’ has whiter
flowers than the species and is more
compact (8–10 in.).
Anaphalis margaritacea is an
invasive, higher-maintenance plant,
but it will take drier conditions than A.
triplinervis. Native species appropriate
for native setting.
Anchusa azurea
Italian bugloss
boraginaceaeTiny bright blue flowers; large
coarse leaves
4–6 ft. high; 2 ft. wide
Full sun–part shade
Blooms May–June
Zones 3–8
pruning Deadhead plants to lateral
buds to prevent excessive seeding and
to prolong bloom. Foliage declines
after bloom period. The plant’s life
expectancy can be prolonged by sev-
eral years if cut back hard to the
ground immediately after flowering;
or, even better, cut back into the crown,
going 1/2–3/4 in. under the soil surface
right to the roots. Do not prune again
for the winter. Clean up if needed in
the spring.
other maintenance Plants
require staking, particularly in
high-fertility soil. Can be invasive in
rich soil. Tolerates short periods of
drought; rots in wet soils. Italian
bugloss is a high-maintenance,(left) Anchusa azurea ‘Loddon
Royalist’(right) Anchusa azurea
ʻDropmore’