Chicory is an easy-to-grow perennial which has a long taproot. It grows from a basal clump of leaves with the flower stems reaching a height of 3-4'. It will readily spread by the dispersal of the seeds (I have seen it growing on wasteground) or by pieces of broken taproot. It is long-flowering.

In looking up some information on this plant I discovered that there was a thriving industry in chicory in Australia during the 1800s mainly in Victoria at Bacchus Marsh, Philip Island and French Island. French Island was still operating up until 1960 and Bacchus Marsh still has a chicory kiln

Biennial, sometimes perennial. A low-growing rosette plant with broad leaves in winter similar to a Dandelion. In spring, large numbers of leaves emerge from the crown. Flower stems may reach 2 metres high. It has a thick, deep taproot. Blue flowers in summer.

Grow in well-drained, well-fertilised soil, pH 5.5-7. Prefers full sun. Fairly drought-tolerant, but prefers consistent, plentiful moisture. Watch for slugs amongst the leaves. Can grow rapidly, with immature leaves ready to harvest in 3-5 weeks. Prefers cool weather but will produce greens through the season. Will tolerate light frost. Cut back plants when flower stalks form. Plants will regrow. For a milder flavour, blanch the leaves by covering plants with a bucket. Mulch heavily in severe winters, and remove the mulch and cut back plants in spring. Harvest leaves when they are 15-20cm long. Dig up roots in late autumn. They should be 12-17cm in diameter at the crown. The usable root will be 23-24cm long. Scrub, chop and roast for grinding.

To my mind, it resembles French sorrel in the way in grows. Just a smallish clump. Check out a pic of it at Google.images, searching for Cichorium intybus (the one whose roots can be used as a coffee substitute) - you don't want a heap of pix of endive, which is sometimes called chicory.

Endive is chicory, selectively bred as a vegetable. There are loads of different types. The wild chicory grows as a weed around here, on the roadsides. It can be very invasive and hard to get rid of. I dug one up for the garden once but I was worried it'd make a nuicance of itself so I turfed it out. I don't have a use for it really, but you're right, the sky blue flowers are beautiful.