Indigo Blue Dragonhead
Dracocephalum ruyschiana
Indigo Blue Dragonhead (Dracocephalum ruyschiana) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12–18 in tall and 12–15 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Deep indigo-blue tubular flowers; alpine mint-family perennial.
Plant Select®low to medium water12–18 in tall and 12–15 in wideXeric / water-wiseZones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Вячеслав Юсупов, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 3: Ivar Leidus, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 4: no rights reserved
- Photo 5: (c) Вячеслав Юсупов, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 6: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 12–18 in tall and 12–15 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10–15 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Bloom color
- blue, purple
- Bloom length
- 2–3 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 Indigo Blue Dragonhead good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Indigo Blue Dragonhead is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Indigo Blue Dragonhead get?
- It matures to about 12–18 in tall and 12–15 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Indigo Blue Dragonhead?
- Space Indigo Blue Dragonhead about 10 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 15 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Indigo Blue Dragonhead hardy on the Front Range?
- Indigo Blue Dragonhead 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 Indigo Blue Dragonhead need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Indigo Blue Dragonhead native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Indigo Blue Dragonhead deer-resistant?
- Indigo Blue Dragonhead is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Indigo Blue Dragonhead a good firewise plant near the house?
- Indigo Blue Dragonhead is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Indigo Blue Dragonhead bloom?
- Indigo Blue Dragonhead blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
