Trachystemon orientalis Sundew

The Trachystemon orientalis 'Sundew' is a cultivar with bright foliage and a more modest growth than the wild species. This perennial ground covering plant produces large heart-shaped foliage reminiscent of hostas and pretty blue purplish flowers in April-May, similar to those of borage. In climates with cool summers, the foliage retains its golden colour, but in hot summers, it turns yellowish green. Thanks to its attractive flowering, great adaptability, and tolerance of dry shaded settings, it fits perfectly in the natural areas of the garden. 

The Trachystemon orientalis or Caucasian Borage belongs to the Boraginaceae family, this species being native to Eastern Europe and Asia Minor: Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia (Caucasus Mountains). Its range has expanded to all temperate climate countries. It is sometimes called Borago orientalis or Oriental Borage.
The Trachystemon orientalis 'Sundew' is a spreading perennial herbaceous plant, reaching 50 cm in height and covering an area up to 1 m² with its rhizomatous roots. Its stems and foliage are densely hairy. The golden yellow leaves are wide, large, and heart-shaped, resembling those of Hosta. During hot summers, the leaves change to a light lime green colour. After pruning, the new shoots may again be more yellow, especially when the weather turns cooler. The blue purplish flowers appear before the foliage in April-May, they are pedunculate, in loose cymes, and measure 1.2 cm in width. Each flower is punctuated by the small dark and prominent cone formed by the fused stamens. This plant grows relatively fast, and the Trachystemon orientalis is less invasive than the species type.

The Trachystemon orientalis 'Sundew' will establish itself permanently in the garden. Discouraging adventive plants, it produces a good ground cover for rural and wild areas of the garden, but its tendency to spread makes it more suited to large spaces. It can be planted alone or mixed with spring flowering bulbs like Narcissus poeticus, squills, Camassia, Snowflake, wild hyacinths. Other robust perennials like Comfrey, German Iris, Red Hot Pokers, dead-nettles, Ligularia, Bocconia, Hardy Geranium Spessart or nodosum, Solomon's seal and fairy flowers, also make beautiful combinations.