Omphalodes cappadocica ‘Cherry Ingram’ AGM

Cappadocian Navelwort Boraginaceae

A little blue woodland flower with a name that sounds as though it ought to come with a good story—and fortunately, it does. ‘Cherry Ingram’ is a particularly choice selection of Omphalodes cappadocica, forming spreading clumps of soft, hairy, heart-shaped evergreen foliage and producing clouds of clear, forget-me-not blue flowers in spring.

The flowers are unusually generous for Omphalodes, held in loose clusters above the foliage and appearing over a remarkably long period. The intense blue is particularly effective in the shade, where it seems to glow against dark soil and woodland foliage.

The cultivar commemorates Collingwood “Cherry” Ingram (1880–1981), the celebrated English plantsman and cherry collector. Ingram is best known for rescuing the Japanese cherry Prunus × subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ and for his extraordinary collection of Japanese flowering cherries. ‘Cherry Ingram’ was named in his honour, although the precise circumstances of its selection and introduction are not especially well documented.

Omphalodes cappadocica is native to northern Turkey and the Caucasus, growing in rocky woodland and shaded mountain habitats. It is a superb garden plant for partial or full shade, particularly in fertile, humus-rich soil that remains reasonably moist.

Unlike the often short-lived annual Myosotis, this is a reliable perennial groundcover, spreading gradually by short rhizomes to make a handsome carpet. Cut back after flowering if necessary to encourage fresh foliage.

Height: 15–25cm
Spread: 40–60cm
Flowering: April–June
Hardiness: H5, approximately -15 to -10°C
Position: Partial shade to shade
Soil: Moist, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil
Habit: Evergreen/semi-evergreen rhizomatous perennial
Special feature: Intense gentian-blue flowers over an extended period