Cynoglossum nervosum

To describe the Cynoglossum nervosum, also known as Himalayan Hound's Tongue, you just have to imagine a giant forget-me-not. It possesses the same blue for its numerous small flowers and the same slightly rough leaves in matte green. Its imposing stature and especially its later flowering in early summer and until the doors of autumn make the difference. This perennial allows for unprecedented associations in borders, rockeries or slopes in not-too-rich and well-drained soil.

The Cynoglossum nervosum belongs to the Boraginaceae family. It is native to the Himalayas, western Pakistan, and northwestern India. It is an herbaceous perennial with a limited lifespan that quickly forms a beautiful bushy clump. It reaches a height and width of 60 cm (24in). The flowering takes place in June-July and then sporadically until the beginning of autumn. The flowers, arranged in cymes at the branches' ends, measure from 0.5 to 1 cm (1in) in diameter in intense saturated blue. The foliage consists of narrow, oblong, lanceolate, and villous leaves in light and vivid green. This plant easily self-seeds in rocky areas, rich in coarse sand or gravel, perfectly drained.

The Hound's Tongue prefers light, well-drained, moderately moist to dry soils. It thrives in not-too-rich soil. In overly rich soil, the foliage develops at the expense of flowering, resulting in an unaesthetic collapse of the shrub. The substrate should be slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline. This plant enjoys sunny exposure and performs well in partial shade. Plant in autumn or spring. Prune the withered stems in August to promote foliage growth and regrowth.

This plant is versatile and can be used in border plantings, rock gardens, alpine rockeries, gravel gardens, paving, slopes, and any other area with excellent soil drainage. Its unique appearance allows for striking colour combinations with other plants such as crocosmias, and yellow or orange daylilies. It also makes for a stunning addition to summer bouquets.

Their name, Cynoglossum, literally "dog's tongue," comes from the appearance of the slightly trailing leaves of the European species.