chicory

C. intybus has been a crop plant, the thick roots used to make a coffee substitute, and is sometimes seen naturalised. It is now mainly grown as a decorative plant. It has wiry, branching upright stems with numerous flowers distributed along the branches, growing tight to the stem. They open in sunlight, but close in wet weather. The common form is a clear sky blue, but white and pink are also available. Long flowering season throughout summer