Purple gromwell is a low perennial which spreads by means of creeping runners. Stems of narrow leaves are topped by small tubular flowers that open dark purple and change to vivid gentian-blue in spring and early summer. The plant spreads with long procumbent non-flowering stems that root at their tips. It is native in a few locations in limestone areas of Wales and south west England1. . It was first recorded botanically in Britain by Ray in 16702. .  The generic name Lithospermum refers to the hard – stone-like nature of the seed.
 
“This is glittering recluse of scrub and wood margins on the Mendip limestone and in south Devon and a few parts of Wales. The flowers are reddish-purple to begin with, but soon turn a bright blue and shine through the brambles with the intensity of gentians.”3. .
 
It makes an easy, attractive and persistent garden plant that gently spreads across flower borders, rockeries or gravel gardens without becoming dominant or a nuisance. It spreads by vegetative means and does not seed itself around. It is not suitable for growing in grass or meadows as it cannot tolerate being mowed.
 
It attracts bumblebees, bee flies (Bombylius species) and the hairy-footed flower bee Anthophora plumipes. Only three insects are known to feed on the plant, two beetles and a gall midge4. .
 
It is available in the horticultural trade from specialist perennial plant nurseries. It is also sometimes known by the English name of blue gromwell, or the old synonym Buglossoides purpurocaerulea. The scientific name of this species is something of a muddle, since it is spelled by some as "purpureocaeruleum" and  recently as Aegonychon purpurocaeruleum.
  
 
References
 
1.  Stace, C. 2010.  New Flora of the British Isles, Third Edition. P. 552.
 
2.  Pearman, D. (2017). The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland, Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland. P.  p259
 
3. Mabey, R. 1996. Flora Britannica. P. 306.
 
4. See the Biological Record Centre database
 
 
Page written by Marc Carlton.  Compiled by Steve Head
Purple gromwell  Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum
 
 
 
 
 
Family – Boraginaceae, Borage family
Herbaceous perennial – up to 40cm tall, spreading.
Flowering –May to July
Soils -  Neutral to alkaline
Position – Partial shade.
 
Purple gromwell  Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum
 
 
Purple gromwell is a low perennial which spreads by means of creeping runners. Stems of narrow leaves are topped by small tubular flowers that open dark purple and change to vivid gentian-blue in spring and early summer. The plant spreads with long procumbent non-flowering stems that root at their tips. It is native in a few locations in limestone areas of Wales and south west England1. . It was first recorded botanically in Britain by Ray in 16702. .  The generic name Lithospermum refers to the hard – stone-like nature of the seed.
 
“This is glittering recluse of scrub and wood margins on the Mendip limestone and in south Devon and a few parts of Wales. The flowers are reddish-purple to begin with, but soon turn a bright blue and shine through the brambles with the intensity of gentians.”3. .
 
It makes an easy, attractive and persistent garden plant that gently spreads across flower borders, rockeries or gravel gardens without becoming dominant or a nuisance. It spreads by vegetative means and does not seed itself around. It is not suitable for growing in grass or meadows as it cannot tolerate being mowed.
 
It attracts bumblebees, bee flies (Bombylius species) and the hairy-footed flower bee Anthophora plumipes. Only three insects are known to feed on the plant, two beetles and a gall midge4. .
 
It is available in the horticultural trade from specialist perennial plant nurseries. It is also sometimes known by the English name of blue gromwell, or the old synonym Buglossoides purpurocaerulea. The scientific name of this species is something of a muddle, since it is spelled by some as "purpureocaeruleum" and  recently as Aegonychon purpurocaeruleum.
  
 
References
 
1.  Stace, C. 2010.  New Flora of the British Isles, Third Edition. P. 552.
 
2.  Pearman, D. (2017). The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland, Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland. P.  p259
 
3. Mabey, R. 1996. Flora Britannica. P. 306.
 
4. See the Biological Record Centre database
 
 
Page written by Marc Carlton.  Compiled by Steve Head
Family – Boraginaceae, Borage
   family
Herbaceous perennial – up to
   40cm tall, spreading.
Flowering –May to July
Soils -  Neutral to alkaline
Position – Partial shade.
 
           Garden Wildplants
        Garden Wildplants