Cichorium intybus

Category: Perennials — Wild chicory, Common chicory

A perennial plant with an upright growth habit and a deep taproot, it can reach a height of 120 cm. Sky-blue flowers appear from June to October, attracting beneficial insects. Cichorium intybus grows best in a sunny location in dry to moderately moist, calcareous soil. It grows naturally along roads, on dikes, and in grasslands and is ideal for natural gardens. This plant is edible; the roots are used as a coffee substitute, and the young leaves can be eaten as a vegetable (similar to chicory). The plant is very winter-hardy and highly resistant to diseases and pests.