Hound's Tongue

Hound's Tongue: variety and characteristics

Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) is an annual herb of the Borage family (Boraginaceae). Hound’s tongue, also known as dog’s tongue, draws attention with its downy leaves and multicoloured purple and red flowers. The plant’s name comes from those hairy leaves and the prickly fruits, which feel like a rough dog’s tongue.

It is very pretty near bee and butterfly gardens, but it is poisonous in all its parts.

In the past the roots were used for dyeing fabrics, as well as for medicinal purposes. They were used especially against diarrhoea and as a remedy for wounds. Today it is no longer used as a medicinal plant, since it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic.

Also worth noting is its use as a means of driving away rats and mice, which cannot stand its smell. For this purpose the root and the above-ground parts are used fresh, or the juice of the plant.

The plant was used externally as a pain-soothing remedy for rashes and wounds – the crushed fresh roots in the form of a paste. Bear in mind that the plant is poisonous and its use for medicinal purposes should be supervised.

Chinese hound’s tongue produces clouds of tiny sky-blue flowers similar to forget-me-nots.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 85%
• Seeds per packet: 17–23 pcs (0.5 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: March and April; direct
• Flowering: June and July
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow Hound's Tongue

Hound's Tongue seeds are sown in March and April. The plants flower in June and July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Hound's Tongue

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Spacing: 20–30 cm
• Germination: 10–20 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sun to partial shade

Biennial to perennial plant. In late winter or in spring we can sow seeds of the medicinal hound’s tongue at a depth of 3-4 cm. The plants need a sunny to partially sunny spot and reach 80 cm. tall. Hound’s tongue only needs enough sun and water. A hardy flower that suits almost any garden. Flowers with blue blooms from June to July.

Sow directly in spring.

Harvest and use

Suitable for cutting.

Frequently asked questions

When should Hound's Tongue be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 17–23 seeds, pack size 0.5 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 85%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.