Chicory (Cichorium intybus) - Sky-Blue Daisy Discs for Dry, Sunny Borders (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free) Super Plugs & 9cm Pots

Tough, luminous and loved by pollinators, Chicory scatters sky-blue, daisy-like flowers along wiry stems from mid-summer into early autumn. Upright clumps reach 60-120 cm (taller on lean, open sites) and shrug off drought thanks to a deep taproot. Perfect for dry wildlife borders, meadow edges, gravel and the dry pond collar (it’s not aquatic). A classic verge/wildflower of low-fertility, limey ground that brings clear colour and steady insect traffic with almost no fuss.
Native status (UK): Native/long-naturalised European wildflower; garden-safe and excellent for wildlife.

Where it thrives
Light: Full sun
Soil/Zone: Free-draining, low-fertility mineral loam/sand/gravel; neutral-alkaline preferred; ideal for dry pond rim/meadow edge; drought-tolerant once established
Setting: Mix with Knapweed, Field Scabious, Lady’s Bedstraw, Wild Marjoram for a long, nectar-rich season

Planting & care

• Plant peat-free plugs 30-40 cm apart on raked, weed-light soil; water to establish, then keep on the dry side

• Do not over-feed (rich soil = floppy stems, fewer flowers)

• Deadhead some stems to prolong bloom; leave some to seed for gentle self-sowing and winter interest

• In windy/exposed spots, stake a few main stems early

• Cut back old stems in late winter; thin volunteer seedlings in spring

• No pesticides; this plant supports beneficial insects

Safety (important & honest):
Ornamental use only - do not ingest. Sap can slightly irritate sensitive skin; wear gloves if needed. Keep plant material and soil out of natural watercourses.

Truth-first wildlife note:
Open blue discs offer accessible nectar and pollen for bumblebees, solitary bees, hoverflies and day-flying moths during summer dry spells. Seeded stems add winter texture and perches for insects and small birds.

Joel says…
“Think clear blue on lean, sunny ground. Keep it unfed and airy, let a few stems seed, and you’ll get a tough, drought-proof drift that hums with life.”