This perennial sub-shrub has soft spreading stems that form a mounded habit. It has lance-shaped mid-green pointed leaves and the small bright blue expanded funnel-shaped flowers appear in terminal clusters during early summer. 

Hardiness zones 3 to 9 

Anchusa azurea is naturally found in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region but has naturalised in North America growing in grasslands or on dry stony hill sides and in disturbed soils along roadsides. It tolerates most well drained sandy-stony to clay loams and prefers an open sunny position and is drought and frost tolerant.

The Italian Alkanet is grown for its flowers and its compact spreading habit. It is planted in small or cottage gardens along perennial borders or in rockeries. It is also grown in containers establishing in one season and is suitable for coastal regions. It is planted on hill sides and tolerates poorer soil conditions. ID 2871

Anchusa (ăn-kew-sa)  azurea (a-zewr-ree-a)

Boraginaceae (BOR-ah-jin-AY-see-ee)
Lungwort