Lithodora diffusa
| Lithodora diffusa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| L. diffusa, Osaka Prefectural Flower Garden, Japan | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | (unplaced) |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Genus: | Lithodora |
| Species: | L. diffusa |
| Binomial name | |
| Lithodora diffusa (Lag. ) I.M.Johnst. | |
Lithodora diffusa (purple gromwell), syn. Lithospermum diffusa, is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae. It is a mat-forming perennial growing to 15 cm (6 in) tall by 60 cm (24 in) or more wide, with dark green, hairy evergreen leaves and masses of brilliant blue 5-lobed flowers. It is suitable for cultivation in a rock garden or alpine garden.[1]
It is valued in gardens for its abundant flowers of intense azure blue. Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use, of which 'Grace Ward'[2] and 'Heavenly Blue'[3] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
The Ancient Greek term lithodora literally means "stone gift", referring to its preferred habitat. Diffusa means "spreading", and refers to the plant's growth habit.[4]
References
- ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Lithodora diffusa 'Grace Ward'". Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Lithodora diffusa 'Heavenly Blue'". Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ↑ Coombes, Allen J. (2012). The A to Z of plant names. USA: Timber Press. p. 312. ISBN 9781604691962.