The Green Alkanet

The Green Alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirens  is common and widespread in the southern part of the UK, less so in the midlands and here up North. 
It is a tall plant of woodland edges, roadside verges, and shady hedgerows, and flowers from April through July.

Like many members of the borage family, to which it belongs, the buds of green alkanet flowers are pink, and it is not until they open fully that they become their startling blue colour

The plant is naturalised in the UK having arrived here from southern Europe in the 1700s. The name alkanet comes from the arabic name for henna, and the roots of green alkanet can be used to produce a red dye. Since its only green parts are the usual leaves and stems you might wonder why green appears in its common name. The reason is that unlike most members of the family it retains its green leaves throughout the year. Hence the Latin epithet sempervirens meaning always green.