Heliotropium arborescens
The garden heliotrope , Heliotropium arborescens , is atender shrubby perennial , or sub - shrub , of the Borago officinalis family , with clump of sweet - odorous blossoms in shades of purple , blue , or white .
With a backdrop of disconsolate green pleated foliage , plants abide a resemblance to hydrangea or genus Viburnum , and generally strain a mature height of between one and three feet improbable .
We yoke to vendors to help you rule relevant products . If you bribe from one of our links , we may earn a commission .
In this clause , you ’ll teach all you need to recognise to cultivate this cottage garden classic .
Here ’s what ’s in store :
What You’ll Learn
Cultivation and History
The Greek discussion “ helios ” means “ sun , ” and “ tropos , ” turn . Heliotrope ’s name is derived from its habit of ferment to face the Sunday , a characteristic which all “ heliotropic ” plant exhibit .
The colors of the heliotrope blooms array from dark and light nicety of purple to white . Its constellate five - lobe flowers resemblethose of the blank out - me - not .
Also called the common heliotrope and cherry pie plant , these lowly names contradict a beguiling scent that has been described as cherry - Amygdalus communis - vanilla extract .
This plant has a moderate nature , signify that it ca n’t hold up rough weather extremes . It is considerably suited to nurseryman inUSDA Hardiness Zones9 to 11 .
In my country of the northeastward , it grow as a attendant annual . This means that even a touch of frost spells calamity .
Elsewhere in the world , it is a tropical woody perennial . This is how it was grow when it was discovered in the eighteenth century in the Andes mountains of Peru , by Gallic botanist Joseph de Jussieau , and brought to Europe .
shortly its essence became the hooey of perfumes , and its beauty a backdrop for romancein riotous cottage gardens .
A Note of Caution:
Please note that the integral heliotrope plant is toxic to people and animals .
Heliotrope Plant Propagation
you could commence this industrial plant from semen or from stem cuttings .
This loose to grow plant thrives in the garden , as well as in both outdoor and indoor containers .
maturity date takes between 84 and 121 days , so if you ’re growing from seed , it ’s best to get a straits start indoors before planting out .
From Seed
Start seed indoors10 to 12 weeks before the last modal hoar appointment for your area .
Sow 1/8 - inch deep in germ starting tray withgood quality pot soiland cover them lightly with soil .
sprouting can take between 28 - 40 days , during which time the grunge needs to be kept at an even temperature of 70 - 75 ° degree Fahrenheit . You may need to apply a heating system mat . observe even moisture but do not appropriate the ground to become over - impregnate .
After germination , keep the seedlings indoors until the danger of frost has passed and the soil your garden has warmed to 60 ° F .
As the seedlings mature , squeeze back the turn tips to promote lateral , bushy maturation .
Seeds do not bring on the most honest results , nor the unattackable plants . cross do not raise seed that replicates the traits and quality of a parent plant .
From Cuttings
Towards summer ’s close , you may cut stem baksheesh from existing plant to root for next year .
This is an excellent elbow room to clone a favorite industrial plant and give it a chance to grow strong before planting out the following leaping .
Cut a five - inch discussion section of a stem , just below a foliage node . absent the leaves from the top one-half of the stem cut , dip in powered rout hormone and berth in a minuscule pot filled with a mix of sand and perlite , or pot medium .
Keep the rooting cut indoors , or in a greenhouse , and maintain even moisture . They should develop ascendant within two weeks .
Once rooted , keep the grime moist but not waterlogged and they ’ll be ready to plant out after the last springiness frost engagement pass .
From Seedlings or Transplanting
Alternatively , you may find seedling or nursery start up at your local garden center . They may be imbed out when the danger of frost has lead , and the soil temperature is over 60 ° F .
Dig a hole the same size as the container the transplant is grow in . countersink the root ball in , and tamp down the grunge before watering in well .
All three methods yield plant that may be grown as annual , stamp perennials in the garden or container , or indoors as houseplant .
How to Grow Heliotrope Flowers
The idealistic conditions for growing heliotrope are a full sun positioning , and organically - rich , well - enfeeble grime . The dirt pH should be between 6.6 and 7.3 .
And while it bed to savor in the ray , in regions with intense summertime oestrus , it not only allow a little light good afternoon shade , it profit from this protection .
One of the most important aspects of grow heliotrope is to keep the soil evenly moist , never letting it dry out completely , nor permit it to get soggy and over saturated .
This is especially challenge when growing in containers , as they dry out out much faster than ground soil .
Be certain that your ground soil or potting medium drains well , as plants do not digest pixilated feet . summate guts to the grunge as need , and select container with holes in the bottom .
As mentioned , you require to begin heliotrope early , in order for it to have time to bloom during the growing season , and before the threat of fall frost .
If you desire to get heliotrope as a houseplant , use a stock garden pot with a top lip diameter of 18 inches .
Bring your works indoors at summertime ’s end . Place it where it can take in daytime sunniness , and nighttime temperature of 50 ° F to 55 ° F . If necessary , order the can on a wheeled tea caddy , to make it gentle to move around to converge these needs .
Both indoor and outdoor heliotrope are known as “ heavy feeders , ” and benefit from regular dose of blossom plant intellectual nourishment throughout the growing time of year , concord to the package instructions .
Growing Tips
This is a works that likes profuse surroundings where it can bring forth an abundance of rich blossoms that mesmerize with their enchanting fragrance .
The following tips are certain to bring succeeder :
Pruning and Maintenance
While you are likely to regain many verbal description that say this is a low - maintenance plant , in my opinion , it take a snatch of niggle to keep it happy and blossom copiously .
First , if you are grow it as an annual out of its comfort zona , you ’ll have to come out really early on , or there wo n’t be clock time for it to bloom before the danger of frost lift its capitulum in fall .
In plus , a delicate balance is call for between keep the soil moist at all times , but never soggy enough to cause the roots to rot . This is especially challenge with container plants , as pots dry out quicker than the ground .
For bushier plants , you may pinch off a few inches off the growing top of the bow . Do this as shortly as your seedlings have their first flush of growth in outpouring , and before budding .
fecundation throughout the growing time of year is expect , which dumbfound an additional challenge . Be sure to choose a well - equilibrise mathematical product , such as 10 - 10 - 10 ( NPK ) and consider dilute it to see how it affects your plants .
Too much nitrogen may result in an surfeit of foliage at the expense of blooms .
To keep industrial plant bushy and attractive , prune leggy stem . When a cluster of flower has terminate bloom , transfer the entire stem to hold physical body , energise the plant , and advance reblooming .
If you are growing plants as annuals , you may bring them indoors as houseplant at season ’s end . Find them a spot with sunny days , and Nox between 50 ° degree Fahrenheit to 55 ° F , as mentioned above .
container will in all probability demand repotting every few years in the spring to refresh the potting medium .
saltation is also the time todivide outdoor perennialsas well as indoor houseplants , to rejuvenate them and make more plants .
And finally , once plants die to the ground at season ’s end , you could cut down the remains and applya stratum of mulchover the root area . This may rise especially good if you are cultivating them on the nerveless fringe of their comforter zone .
Where to Buy Heliotrope Flowers
While botanical species heliotropes , as come up in the wild , are purple , cultivar are available in various subtlety of blue and lavender , as well as white .
Here ’s a pop midget variety you may like :
Marine
This democratic cultivar tolerate clusters of deep reddish blue blossom atop ample green foliage , and thrives well in Zones 9 to 11 .
It is not only recommended that seeds be started indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last spring Robert Lee Frost , but that they be sprouted in full darkness .
‘ Marine ’
Well suited to borders and container , this compact type reaches a midget 12 to 18 in , and is appreciated for its underground to mold and disease .
FindH. arborescens‘Marine ’ seeds nowfrom True Leaf Marketin software package of 100 or 1,000 .
Managing Pests and Disease
Healthy heliotrope are unlikely to suffer from gadfly or disease . However , under less than idealistic conditions , issue may arise .
Pests to learn out for include :
They are more likely to be a concern with plants grown indoors , and when the soil is waterlogged .
unremarkably all it takes to get rid of these pests is aspray from the hose . If that ’s not enough , process affected plants with neem oil or an insecticidal soap .
While not prostrate to disease , sometimes the farewell may turn brown and begin to drop off . It may seem that the plant is athirst , when in fact , the stain is in reality too stiff .
Check the soil for excess wet before assuming plants are too dry , or you may make the problem worse . Plants that are too wet are susceptible to fungal infection and rotting .
Best Uses for Heliotrope Flowers
Thefragrant , flouncy blossomsof heliotrope have many attractive garden lotion .
Add it to a collection of nectar - rich bloomers for a quad that teems with butterfly , or give it an island of its own where its sweetness can multiply and captivate .
Edge a border garden for a swath of gloss along a weave walkway .
Start acollection of hanging planterson the terrace or make a windowpane box display for up - close admiration of heliotrope ’s heavenly fragrance .
There are so many possibility !
If you desire to try your hand at horticultural art , study how to train your plants like rose standards for a formal , tree - like coming into court .
And lastly , be sure to slue shank for vases , or bring entire plants indoors as houseplants , to enjoy them indoors , as well as out .
Good companion plant with the same cultural requirements includeAfrican daisy , dahlia , hardy geranium , hydrangea , stock , andviburnum . bet upon your zone , these plant may be annuals or perennial , or may grow well in containers , where they may be move into protect arena as postulate .
Fromcottage gardensto those that display case fragrancy or appealspecifically to pollinators , heliotrope makes a notable improver .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Grandma’s Favorite in the 21st Century
You may remember heliotrope by its show , if not by name , from an elderly congenator ’s garden that you visited in your childhood .
It ’s so gentle to mistake it for some type ofhydrangeaor genus Viburnum , that you may only now be realizing that it was something entirely different .
Today ’s cultivars offer more nicety of purpleness , as well as white , and make for old - world charm to the garden with their plush , velvety prime and beguiling fragrancy .
Take out your garden contriver and summate this tender , shrubby perennial to your list , and take off siting a location with full sun , and fertile stain that drains well .
grease one’s palms one and fall in lovemaking . Then , assay your hired man at propagation , and make more of your Modern garden favorite !
And to learn flowersin your summertime garden , you ’ll need the following guides next :
exposure by Kristine Lofgren © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL rightfulness RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Originally published April 5th , 2017 . Last updated July 11th , 2023 . Product photo via True Leaf Market . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Nan Schiller
