The Genus Heliotropium
Family Boraginaceae
This is a large genus of herbaceous plants native to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. One species has been widely cultivated as an ornamental, Heliotropium arborescens.
The Boraginaceae family contains herbs, shrubs, vines and trees that range around the world. Cordia is an ornamental genus in this family that is cultivated in the warmer parts of the Coastal Southeast.
The Boraginaceae family contains herbs, shrubs, vines and trees that range around the world. Cordia is an ornamental genus in this family that is cultivated in the warmer parts of the Coastal Southeast.
Heliotropium angiospermum
Heliotropium angiospermum
scorpion tail
This wildflower grows to about a foot tall. Small white flowers are produced on spikes that curl back at the tip. The flowers are not dramatic but they are attractive to small butterflies and other pollinators. It grows well in sun to part shade and in reasonably moist, well-drained soils. It has some salt tolerance. It grows naturally along the coasts in southern and central Florida and into South America. References state that it is cold hardy from zone 8 south.
Plants may be found in native plant nurseries and catalogs.
The plant in my upper zone 9a garden grows well in part shade with irrigation. It remained evergreen following a winter low in the upper 20's F and died to the ground with a low in the lower 20's. It resprouted from its base in mid-March and began flowering in late April.
This wildflower grows to about a foot tall. Small white flowers are produced on spikes that curl back at the tip. The flowers are not dramatic but they are attractive to small butterflies and other pollinators. It grows well in sun to part shade and in reasonably moist, well-drained soils. It has some salt tolerance. It grows naturally along the coasts in southern and central Florida and into South America. References state that it is cold hardy from zone 8 south.
Plants may be found in native plant nurseries and catalogs.
The plant in my upper zone 9a garden grows well in part shade with irrigation. It remained evergreen following a winter low in the upper 20's F and died to the ground with a low in the lower 20's. It resprouted from its base in mid-March and began flowering in late April.
Heliotropium x 'Simply Scentsational'
Heliotropium x 'Simply Scentsational'
Simply Scentsational heliotrope
This is an unusual little herbaceous perennial that grows to about two feet tall and a little wider. It has clusters of fragrant, lavender flowers throughout the summer. The flowers are attractive to butterflies. It grows best in full sun in a well-drained soil during the cooler months. Unlike Heliotropium arborescens, it is reported to be drought tolerant. Various references give zone 8 and zone 9 as its northern limit. North of that, it may be used as an annual.
Plants are new to the market in 2012. With a little searching, they may be found in local nurseries. I have not tried yet but expect it to propagate easily by cuttings. From what I can find, the name is trademarked but the plant is not patented.
This plant grew well for several years in a container. I moved it to full sun during the cooler months and into afternoon shade in the summer. By mid-September, most or all of the previous year's growth had died and new shoots were emerging from the ground. By the first of October, it was flowering again and continued through most of the winter.
This is an unusual little herbaceous perennial that grows to about two feet tall and a little wider. It has clusters of fragrant, lavender flowers throughout the summer. The flowers are attractive to butterflies. It grows best in full sun in a well-drained soil during the cooler months. Unlike Heliotropium arborescens, it is reported to be drought tolerant. Various references give zone 8 and zone 9 as its northern limit. North of that, it may be used as an annual.
Plants are new to the market in 2012. With a little searching, they may be found in local nurseries. I have not tried yet but expect it to propagate easily by cuttings. From what I can find, the name is trademarked but the plant is not patented.
This plant grew well for several years in a container. I moved it to full sun during the cooler months and into afternoon shade in the summer. By mid-September, most or all of the previous year's growth had died and new shoots were emerging from the ground. By the first of October, it was flowering again and continued through most of the winter.