Trachystemon orientalis (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Partial to full shade
Flowering period: Early spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 45cm
Eventual Spread: 90cm
Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Boraginaceae
Trachystemon orientalis is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming spreading habit. Its mid green leaves are cordate with entire margins, ave a rough textured surface, up to 15cm long and 10cm broad. Its blue hermaphrodite flowers are up to 1cm across, appear on stalks which are up to 30cm tall just before or at the same time as its leaves emerge. Its roots are rhizomes which aids its spread.
Trachystemon orientalis Flower (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Trachystemon orientalis, commonly known as Abraham-Isaac-Jacob, is native to east Europe and west Asia. This plant has naturalised in the UK.
The etymological root of the binomial name Trachystemon is derived from the Greek trachus meaning ‘rough’ and stemon meaning ‘stamon’. Orientalis is from the Latin meaning ‘from the East’.
The landscape architect may find Trachystemon orientalis useful as an effective ground cover in dry shady places, including within the canopy spread of mature trees.
Trachystemon orientalis Leaf (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Trachystemon orientalis flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Trachystemon orientalis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate dry soils.
Trachystemon orientalis requires little maintenance.
