Herons, Giggers Green Road, Aldington, Kent, TN25 7BU
Tel/Fax: 01233 720907
Perennial wildflower of southern Europe and North Africa, but would look at home in a cottage garden. Looks very much like a Cornflower. Purple-blue flowers with a dark eye, the petals being sword-like and papery with serrated ends. Name comes from katananke - Greek "kata, meaning down, against or very; and "ananke", meaning force or necessity. Caerulea simply means sky-blue. Height 2 ft (60 cm). Flowers June to September.The ancient Greeks and Romans used the plant in love charms and aphrodisiacs. It was said to make the recipient fall totally in love.
The flowers can be dried and it also makes a good cut flower. Drought-resistant. Plant in sun.