Trachystemon Orientalis - Compact - ORG

Trachystemon orientalis, also known as Oriental borage, is one of the earliest bloomers in the shade garden. Even before the large, heart-shaped leaves appear, the plant is already covered with sky-blue, star-shaped flowers on short, leafless stems. As soon as flowering is over, the rough, heart-shaped leaves unfurl, quickly closing to form a dense, ground-covering layer.

This vigorous grower is ideally suited for challenging spots under trees and large shrubs, where many other groundcovers fail to thrive. Thanks to its creeping rhizomes, the plant spreads on its own, eventually forming a continuous carpet after a few years.

An extremely hardy perennial

Trachystemon orientalis prefers to grow in partial to full shade, in ordinary garden soil. It is not particularly picky: it tolerates both nutrient-rich, moisture-retaining soil and drier spots under trees.

Pruning is not necessary; the foliage dies back naturally in winter and sprouts anew in the spring. If you want to propagate or control the plant’s spread, you can divide the rhizomes in the spring and replant them.

The flowers bloom from April through May. This way, Trachystemon orientalis brings color to the shady corners of the garden early in the year.

The plant is delivered in a compact pot. This means you’ll receive a young plant that’s already rooted, which you can plant directly in the garden once the soil is ready for planting.