Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000709
11/12/99
Heliotropium arborescens--Heliotrope
Height: 24 in Spacing: 12 in
Type: annual
Flowers: Blue, purple
Comments: Heliotrope has fragrant purple flowers on plants
one to two feet tall. It needs a rich soil, full sun and
lots of water during hot weather. Pinch young plants two
or three times to promote branching. The flower fragrance
is most noticeable at sunrise and sunset and may be enhanced
by giving plants the bare minimum of water. The plant may
be grown as a potted plant. Heliotrope responds to regular
fertilizer applications and is not tolerant of the slightest
frost.
Propagation: Heliotrope is propagated by seed or cuttings.
Take cuttings from especially fragrant plants between late
spring and early summer. Softwood cuttings root in about
two weeks at low temperatures. Seed takes three to four
weeks to germinate at 70 degrees and germination can be
erratic. Do not allow the plants to get too big before
transplanting.
Cultivars:
'Fragrant Blue' - Very fragrant flowers. In cool weather
the flower color is darker blue.
'Fragrant Delight' - Fragrant flower open dark purple
but fade as they age.
'Marine' (Vis. 1).
'Midnight'
References for Cultivars: Lowell C. Ewart, 1997 Flower
Seed Trials, Michigan State University; White Flower Farm
1999, Wayside Gardens 1999.
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to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
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a commercial product or company.
This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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