FRAGRANT PUCCOON

Lithospermum ruderale

Borage Family (Boraginaceae)

This robust, early-flowering perennial is common in sagebrush steppe and foothill communities throughout our region. Its main attraction is spikes of cream-colored blossoms, which have a sweet, delicate fragrance. This scent is attractive to butterflies as well as people, and fragrant puccoon makes a good addition to a butterfly garden. It can also hold its own with perennial grasses, making it a good choice for a foothill meadow planting. It combines well with Utah sweetvetch and Wasatch penstemon. Its deep green leaved and upright, bushy form add to its value as a foliage plant and help compensate for its rather brief bloom time. It also has interesting, shiny fruits that look like porcelain beads.