Lithospermum officinale (Common Gromwell)

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Lithospermum, Genus, officinale, Species,

Genus & species

common gromwell

Boraginaceae Europe and temperate Asia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–8

Overview

Lithospermum officinale is an upright, branching perennial of the borage family, growing 12–32 inches (30–80 cm) tall from a woody rootstock. The stems are stiff and leafy, carrying alternate, lance-shaped leaves 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm) long that are rough-hairy above with prominent veins beneath. From May to July it bears small, five-lobed, creamy-white to pale yellow flowers about 0.2–0.3 inch (4–6 mm) across in leafy, coiled clusters at the stem tips. Each flower is followed by hard, shiny, white to grey nutlets resembling small porcelain beads, which persist after the foliage fades. The plant grows in scrub, hedge banks, woodland edges, and rough calcareous grassland across Europe and temperate Asia, rooting in dry to moist, lime-rich soils. It tolerates partial shade and summer drought once established but is intolerant of waterlogging and dense, acidic ground. It dies back in winter and is modest in flower, so it is grown more for the polished white seeds than for floral display.

Native Range

Lithospermum officinale is native to Europe and temperate Asia. It grows in scrub, hedgerows, woodland edges, and rough calcareous grassland on dry to moist, lime-rich soils.

Suggested Uses

Used in wildlife and cottage borders, calcareous meadow plantings, and hedge banks where the white seeds and bee-visited flowers are wanted. Suited to naturalistic planting on lime-rich soil.

How to Identify

Identified by stiff, leafy upright stems and small creamy-white flowers in coiled clusters at the tips in early summer, followed by hard, shiny white nutlets like tiny beads. The leaves are rough to the touch with clear lateral veins. The white, stony seeds separate it from the blue-flowered gromwells and bugloss of the same family.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'8"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Flowers: May–July

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from May to July, the small creamy flowers opening in succession along coiled clusters. The display is modest, and the main interest follows as glossy white nutlets ripen and persist into autumn. Plants are visited by bees despite the small flower size.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

creamy-white to pale yellow

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0 (Neutral to alkaline)

3579

Soil Types

chalk loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade on dry to moist, free-draining, lime-rich soils, including chalk and limestone ground. It tolerates summer drought once established and a range of soil textures, but not waterlogging or strongly acidic ground. In gardens it suits sunny banks, wildlife borders, and calcareous meadow plantings. Watering helps only during establishment. It is hardy in zones 5 to 8 and dies back to the rootstock over winter.

Pruning

Spent stems can be cut back in autumn or late winter once the seeds have shed. No formal shaping is needed. Plants are divided or grown from seed in spring.

Toxicity: Not assessed

Unknown

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