Trachystemon orientalis
"Early-flowering borage"
Orders placed before 1 March 2024
You can expect your order in March 2024
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2024
You can expect your order in March/April 2024
Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2024
You can expect your order within 10 business days
UK orders over £50
Free shipping
UK orders under £50
£4.99
Northern Ireland orders under £50
£5.99
Reviews.io 4.8 (28,866 reviews)
Trustpilot 4.7 (7,688 reviews)
Google 4.8 (8,011 reviews)
In cooperation with Shopify Planet and the Shopify Sustainability Fund, we are proud to be the first plant and flower bulb supplier able to:
— Ship carbon neutral;
— Remove atmospheric carbon;
— Store carbon for 1000+ years;
— Invest in reforestation;
— Invest in soil carbon storage.
How? Every time we ship an order, Shopify Planet automatically calculates our shipping emissions, and ensures high-quality carbon removal to neutralise our shipping footprint. Learn more
Description
If you are wanting some colour between the end of March and the beginning of June, but the area comprises rough ground in quite dry shade, where very little will thrive, spreading Trachystemon orientalis will be just right for you. It makes superb ground-cover. Known as early-flowering borage (it is indeed a relative to the herb borage), it is a perennial that is both hardy and tough, and quick to cover an area. Curiously, Trachystemon orientalis loves shade, even dense shade, but it is also happy in full sun!
Trachystemon orientalis, also known as Abraham-Isaac-Jacob, produces large, bright green, bristly, heart-shaped leaves up to 20cm across, and 30cm long. Often before the leaves are fully out, there are stalks of starry blue flowers, in clusters. Curiously, the petals of early-flowering borage are rolled, as if they have been set in curlers and, when they eventually drop, they leave behind intriguing, stiff purple stamens. Trachystemon orientalis plants typically have a maximum height of 50cm, but they can spread sideways unlimited over time.
The genus name Trachystemon is derived from the Greek words "trachys", meaning rough, and "stemon", which stands for stamen.
Key features
-
Comes back every year
-
Loved by pollinators
-
Great for shade
-
In peat-free compost
-
Low maintenance
-
RHS Award (AGM)
-
Fully hardy
-
Slug & snail repellent
Specs & details
-
Botanical name
Trachystemon orientalis
-
Flower colour
Blue
-
Plant size
2/3 eyes
-
Established height
30-50cm
-
Established spread
1.5-2.5m
-
Plant spacing
5 plants per m2
-
Leaf colour
Green
-
Habit
Spreading
Clump-forming -
Life cycle
Perennial
-
Hardiness
Fully hardy
-
Years to establish
2-3 years
-
Sunlight
Full shade
Partial shade
Dappled shade -
Position
Sheltered
-
Suitable for
Large containers
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens -
Soil acidity
Any
-
Soil moisture
Damp
Free draining -
Soil type
Loam
Clay
Loam-based compost -
Growing skill
Easy to grow
-
Scented
No
-
Pollinator-friendly
Yes
-
Mouse resistant
No
-
Rabbit resistant
Yes
-
Deer resistant
Yes
-
Toxicity
No report
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
-
Soak your Trachystemon orientalis roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting.
Plant your "Early-flowering borage" bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost in spring and grow-on in a sheltered spot outdoors.
Choose a pot which comfortably fits the bare roots. Some have a noticeable crown which should be just below the soil surface with any top growth exposed.
Plant out into borders or permanent containers in late spring or early summer once in full growth. Choose a position in sun or shade depending on the variety.
-
Orders placed before 1 March 2024
You can expect your order in March 2024Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2024
You can expect your order in April 2024Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2024
You can expect your order within 10 business days
Perfect companions
We ♥ our planet
We reduce waste by using recyclable packaging whenever we are able.
World class bulbs
We cooperate with the best growers to supply world class bulbs and plants.
We've got your back
Excellent customer care: Our service is rated 4.8 out of 5 by our customers.
Spoilt for choice
Biggest ever selection of
flower bulbs and plants online. Lots of exclusive varieties.
Size matters
You can expect top size flower bulbs and bare-root plants. Always.
@farmergracy
Tag @farmergracy to share your garden, plants and experience!
