Flower Specifications
- Season: Perennial
- USDA Zones: 9 - 10
- Height: 10 inches
- Bloom Season: Summer and fall
- Bloom Color: Blue
- Environment: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, pH 6.6 – 7.3
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 60 - 65F
- Average Germ Time: 14 -21 days
- Light Required: No
- Depth: 1/4 inch
- Sowing Rate: 3 - 4 seeds per plant
- Moisture: Keep seed moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 12 inches
- Care & Maintenance: See: Heliotropium
Heliotrope (Heliotropium Arborescens Extra Dwarf Marine) - Heliotrope flower seeds produce a richly colored plant with both foliage and blooms that nicely contrast each other. The blooms are not only lovely, but they also have a spectacular vanilla scent! This 'Extra Dwarf Marine' Heliotrope has a compact form with broadly oval to lance-shaped, textured leaves tinged with purple. In summer, it bears a profusion of fragrant deep violet-blue flowerheads up to 6 inches across.
A perennial in warmer climates, it is grown as an annual where it is not hardy. Its rich foliage and profuse blooms make it a great choice for summer bedding, containers or windowboxes. A strong scent of vanilla floats through the garden, especially on summer evenings, making this tender perennial an excellent choice for containers or edgings in sunny borders. Bees and butterflies like the scent as well and visit Heliotropes often!
Sow Heliotrope flower seeds indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost. Use rich potting mix and keep the flower seeds moist until germination. When transplanting to the garden or larger containers, pinch back tops of young Heliotrope plants to encourage branching. Deadhead spent blooms throughout season to encourage flowering. Remove plants after frost.
