Trachystemon orientalis, commonly known as Abraham-Isaac-Jacob, is a perennial herb of the family Boraginaceae. Native to eastern Europe, it is frequently grown as an ornamental for its early blue-violet flowers and large leaves.
Trachystemon orientalis, commonly known as early-flowering borage, is a tough, rhizomatous, shade-loving, weed-smothering, perennial ground cover that is native from Bulgaria to the Caucasus and Turkey. Pendant, borage-like, white-throated, bluish-purple flowers (each to 1/2” wide) bloom in early spring (March-April) in loose-branched panicles located atop branched, hairy, pink-tinted flowering stems rising to 18” tall. Flowers bloom at a time when the foliage is just beginning to develop. Flowers have tubular corollas with five spreading to slightly reflexed petals. Large, coarsely-textured, long-petioled, heart-shaped, bristly-hairy, overlapping, medium to dark green basal leaves (each to 12” long) typically mature to full size after flowering has finished to form a dense but attractive foliage mat rising to 18” tall but spreading over time to 24” wide or more.
The plant needs regular watering while it`s establishing. After that, watering can be reduced to let the soil dry out between waterings. It survives dry shade once established, although in prolonged very dry conditions, the leaves may collapse.
It is tolerant of a wide range of soils. Mulch around the plant to keep foliage off of the ground where it may rot.
It does not require feeding; avoid soil rich in nitrogen or plants may not bloom. Fertilize with compost tea or a dilute solution of fish emulsion to give flowering plants a boost.
