Viper bugloss is a native plant.It is used as a border and the buds of start off pink at first, the flowers turn the most exquisite shades of intense blue and as the flowers fade they become tinged with crimson.
Sow Outdoors: Surface. Following the last frost. Spacing 4 to 24 inches (10 to 60 cm).
Sow Indoors: Mix seeds in a growing medium, place in a freezer bag, keep moist, then stratify by refrigeration for two to three weeks. Use peat pots. Germination time: one to three weeks in the light. Temperature 75°F (24°C). Seven or eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors in the last month of spring.
SPECIFICATION OF BUGLOSS
CLIMATE:
Viper bugloss can be grown in heard ness zone 6-10, although in zone 6 they’re likely to die back to the ground in winter.Viper's bugloss is a biennial which requires free draining reasonably open grassland or disturbed soil in which its seed can germinate.Viper's bugloss has a deep and persistent root which allows it to exploit free draining, drought prone land. Viper bugloss like humid climates. Once established, they can tolerate quite a bit of drought.
LIGHT:
viper bugloss flower best in full sun (at least six hours per day).
SOIL:
viper bugloss do well in most any kind of soil, as long as it’s well-drained. The ideal soil pH is neutral to slightly acidic.
Prepare the area where they are to grow. Removing any weeds or stones and rake to a fine tilth. Sow thinly, 6mm (¼in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart. Sow the seed sparingly or they will choke out other seedlings. Water ground regularly until the seedlings are established, especially in dry periods. Optimum germination temperature: 60 to 65°F (15 to 18°C).
If sowing more than one annual in the same bed, consider marking the sowing areas with a ring of sand and a label. The seedlings will appear in rows approx 6 to 8 weeks after planting and can be easily told from nearby weed seedlings.
Prick out superfluous seedlings rigorously, so that the plants are at least 38cm (18in) apart. They will then have enough space to spread satisfactorily.
GERMINATION GUIDE
Germination in seedling tray
Use a flat seedling tray and its deep will be 5 centimeter. Make sure you have plenty of holes in it for good water drainage.
As the seeds are perfect in size then you can put the seeds over it by 1/3 after that cover the seeds with seedling mix only about 1 cm (one centimeter)
Take equal quantity of sand, soil and vermicompost. Then mix all the three ingredients into one container.
Sprinkle diluted fungicide water (2gm in 1 liter water) after sowing the seeds.We have to careful about putting the seed because seeds will not to go deep inside the mixture.
Sow the seeds should be sown directly outdoors where it is to flower in spring or autumn. They prefer well drained soil in full sun or part shade. The seed can also be sown indoors, but direct sowing is preferable, as they have a long taproot which can be damaged when transplanting. Make two or three successive sowings for continuous flowers.
Caution
This striking species is best viewed and not touched. The sharp spines, which cover the plant, are a powerful deterrent and can be a skin irritant; becoming lodged in the skin much like those of a cactus. If you are tempted by the Viper, please use gloves when handling the plant!
Plant Uses
Flowers Borders and Beds, Patio/Container Plants, Cut Flower, Wildlife and wildflower meadows. Bees and Honey making. Butterfly gardens, Drought Tolerant.
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