Cape Forget-Me-Not
Anchusa capensis
Cape Forget-Me-Not (Anchusa capensis) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12–18 in tall and 10–14 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Sky-blue flowers all summer; short-lived but reseeds reliably.
Plant Select®low to medium water12–18 in tall and 10–14 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Caroline Voget, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Caroline Voget, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: SAplants, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 4: Stickpen, Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 12–18 in tall and 10–14 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10–14 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer
- Bloom color
- blue
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Planting & establishment
Deep water every 1–2 weeks during establishment (first growing season), then water sparingly per Plant Select guidance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Cape Forget-Me-Not good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Cape Forget-Me-Not is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Cape Forget-Me-Not get?
- It matures to about 12–18 in tall and 10–14 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Cape Forget-Me-Not?
- Space Cape Forget-Me-Not about 10 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 14 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Cape Forget-Me-Not hardy on the Front Range?
- Cape Forget-Me-Not is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Cape Forget-Me-Not need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Cape Forget-Me-Not native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Cape Forget-Me-Not deer-resistant?
- Cape Forget-Me-Not is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- How long does Cape Forget-Me-Not bloom?
- Cape Forget-Me-Not blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
