Japanese name: シープスビット Scientific name:Jasione montana
[Overview]
A biennial 15–30 cm tall, growing in its native range in dry grassland, heath and seaside cliffs.
The leaves are simple, basal and alternate, linear or lanceolate to narrowly oblong, and entire.
Blue flowers are borne in heads at the stem tips, and the corolla is divided into 5 lobes almost to the base.
The fruit is a capsule.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, dry sandy soil.
It dislikes heat and humidity, so keep it on the dry side; for potted plants, water thoroughly after the soil has dried, and for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Fertilizing is not particularly necessary.
Pests include slugs and snails.
