Little Boy Blu Achetaria azurea
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Otacanthus azureus
- Otacanthus caeruleus
- Stemodia azurea
- Tetraplacus taubertii
- Phonetic Spelling
- ak-eh-TAR-ee-uh ah-ZUR-ee-ah
- Description
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A small compact, everblooming, evergreen shrub whose flowers resemble snapdragons (hence the common name). The solitary flowers are concentrated near the branch tips. They are blue in color and each has 2 petals. The lower petal has a white streak at the throat.
This tropical or sub-tropical perennial can be grown indoors as a house plant or outdoors as an annual in areas outside tropical zones. As a perennial, it blooms almost all year and it has great cut flowers for arrangments. When grown as an annual, it will bloom mid-summer to autumn. It makes a great addition to a terrarium.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Achetaria
- Species:
- azurea
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Brazil
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Fragrance
- Edibility:
- Not edible
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is an ovoid pubescent capsule.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Each blue flower has 2 petals, the lower petal has a white streak. The flowers expand straight from the stem of the plant.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves that smell like minty-pine when crushed, are pale green with depressed veins. The leaves are attached directly to the plants base, not depending on any stalks.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Stems have a variety of colors including brown, green, and a tint of red.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
