Id-Code: EA 017
Family: Boraginaceae
Origin: Europa and Western Asia
Special Features: Bold spikes of red flowers
Colour: Dark red flowering panicles like thick pipe cleaners
Natural Flowering Period: June - August
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z5-8
Growth Habit: Upright/Columnar
Foliage: Linear to lanceolate-shaped
Height with Flowers: 60 cm (24'')
Spacing between Plants: 45 cm (18'')
Soil Requirements:Well-drained, sandy soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full sun
Use: Consider this underused perennial for the border. Plant together with Echinacea 'Magnus', Sidalcea 'Bianca' and Stokesia 'Omega Skyrocket'
Specialities: Great vertical effect in the garden

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 1,818
Seeds per Gram: 550
Seeding Recommendation: 5 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 2-3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 128 or 288
Germination: These perennial seeds germinate very irregularly over a long period. Lower temperatures of less than +5°C [41°F] are very effective. Seed trays should not be discarded prematurely. Constant moisture must be maintained. Do not leave in direct sunlight.

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Date: Anytime
Sowing to Germination: 4 - 8 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to salable Plant: 6 - 10 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Cut-back once to keep more compact

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2''); 2-3 plugs per 15 cm (6'')
Vernalization: There is no current research on vernalization but a prudent recommendation for any perennial would be 6-12 weeks (a few might need 15 weeks!) at an average daily temperature of 40°F (5°C). Exposure to cold may not be necessary for flowering but might improve quality.
Forcing: An obvious place to experiment - following vernalization - would be raising daytime temperatures to 60° - 65°F (15° - 17°C). Provide 16 hours of continuous lighting. During the short days of winter, provide a night interruption lighting of 4 hours between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm)