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Common chicory, Cichorium intybus, is a bushy perennial herbaceous plant with blue, lavender, or occasionally white flowers. Growing wild as a plant on roadsides, Chicory has numerous uses when grown commercially. Blue Chicory has a fabulous deep blue flower, and is a wonderful plant in its own right.
Growing to 1.5m tall, this hardy plant prefers rich but well-drained soil, preferably in an open, sunny position. Seed sown indoors in spring and then planted out (preferably with some support e.g. trellis/fencing) will provide the best start, allowing the beautiful clear blue flowers to shine in mid-simmer and autumn.
"Chicory" is also the common name in the United States for curly endive (Cichorium endivia), and these two closely related species are often confused.
Plant pinches of seed in a plug module tray cover with vermiculite and germinate at 10-15’C
Various varieties are cultivated for salad leaves, chicons (blanched buds), or for roots (var. sativum), which are baked, ground, and used as a coffee substitute and additive. It is also grown as a crop for livestock.
Our Chicory Blue Seeds are generally available to buy online all year round.