Asperula orientalis

A versatile and easy annual for the flower garden. The wiry plants make mounds of spring-green foliage peppered with clusters of small, scented, blue flowers. Seed can be sown in the autumn and grown for the spring or sown in the spring for flowering later in the year. It has a very gentle habit and it won’t compete with developing perennials, which can be a problem with forget-me-nots. I thread plants through bare gaps between perennials in early spring, and couple them with tulips. Doesn’t like heavy, wet soils, but is otherwise quite amiable. Height 35cm. Spread 40cm. Origin Europe into Asia. Conditions Any good soil that isn’t saturated. Hardiness RHS H4, USDA 4a-9b. Season Spring into summer.