20"; Blue 1.5" flowers.

An easy perennial, especially for beginning gardeners. Plants form a lush mound of deep green, ferny foliage, bearing upright stems with star-shaped blue or white flowers, held in small heads beginning in late spring. The flowers are similar to Phlox, and good as a cut flower. Tends to self seed prolifically, but cutting off the spent flower heads will help to prevent this. Evergreen in mild winter regions. Easily divided in early spring or fall.

Cultivars won’t always breed true from seed, but if you’re not concerned with specific colors, seeds (either purchased or self-sown) can yield some interesting results. Sow the tiny brown seeds directly into the soil in spring after all danger of frost has passed. Loosely cover the seeds with a fine sprinkling of soil, water gently and keep moist until seedlings sprout. The seeds will germinate quickly and should be thinned to about 18 inches (46 cm.) apart. You’ll get a fine showing of foliage the first year, but may not see flowers until the second season.