The Story
Heliotropium arborescens
Look for heavy clusters of sweetly vanilla scented, stunning deep violet-blue flowers on dark green, bushy plants about 30-45 cm (12-18") tall. Great for borders or containers and the flowers are a butterfly magnet. Stunning visual effect when grown with plants that have lime green foliage. Heliotrope is both drought and heat tolerant and deer do not browse them. This member of the borage family definitely deserves more attention. Note that all parts of the plant are poisonous.
How to Grow
Start seed indoors in a soil-less mix 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Barely cover the seed with the growing medium, water with a fine mist then keep at 21 C (70 F) for 7-14 day germination period. Grow on under lights at a cooler temperature range of 16-18 C (62-65 F). After hardening off, transplant outside after danger of frost has passed spacing plants 30 cm (1') apart. The flowers have an intense intoxicating fragrance. Full sun is best although plants do tolerate partial shade. Plants prefer moist soil. Planting heliotrope next to plants with lime green foliage creates a stunning visual contrast.
Annual.
Approx. 100 seeds/pkt.
Description
Heliotropium arborescens
Look for heavy clusters of sweetly vanilla scented, stunning deep violet-blue flowers on dark green, bushy plants about 30-45 cm (12-18") tall. Great for borders or containers and the flowers are a butterfly magnet. Stunning visual effect when grown with plants that have lime green foliage. Heliotrope is both drought and heat tolerant and deer do not browse them. This member of the borage family definitely deserves more attention. Note that all parts of the plant are poisonous.
How to Grow
Start seed indoors in a soil-less mix 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Barely cover the seed with the growing medium, water with a fine mist then keep at 21 C (70 F) for 7-14 day germination period. Grow on under lights at a cooler temperature range of 16-18 C (62-65 F). After hardening off, transplant outside after danger of frost has passed spacing plants 30 cm (1') apart. The flowers have an intense intoxicating fragrance. Full sun is best although plants do tolerate partial shade. Plants prefer moist soil. Planting heliotrope next to plants with lime green foliage creates a stunning visual contrast.
Annual.
Approx. 100 seeds/pkt.
