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Isotoma fluviatilis

Previously known as:

  • Laurentia fluviatilis
  • Lobelia fluviatilis
  • Rapuntium fluviatilis
Phonetic Spelling
eye-so-TOW-mah flew-vee-ah-TE-liss
Description

Blue Star Creeper is an evergreen, herbaceous perennial, spreading ground cover with small, light blue flowers that blossom in spring. The plant is a native of Australia with a low-growing habit, often creating a mat as it forms roots and spreads. Although it throws off runners, it can be contained with a deep landscaping edging material. It flowers in early spring into summer and produces a carpet of white-blue five-petalled star-shaped flowers, making it a colorful groundcover.

Blue Star Creeper prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight; moist soil; and tolerates foot traffic. Because it is shade tolerant, it is a good ground cover for growing under taller plants. It is often found growing in moist sand or mud along the margins of creeks and streams, or among granite outcrops and wet depressions. This evergreen plant is easily ripped apart into small pieces, which make new plantings for early spring.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#fine texture#blue flowers#lawn alternative#moist soil#spreading#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#partial shade tolerant#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#fine texture#blue flowers#lawn alternative#moist soil#spreading#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#partial shade tolerant#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Isotoma
    Species:
    fluviatilis
    Family:
    Campanulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    E.astern and Southeastern Australia
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 3 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 2 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Capsules are obconical to obovoid and asymmetric, 1/4 inch long and 1/8 inch in diameter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Light blue 1/4 inch flowers in spring and into summer.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Linear
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Tiny green leaves up to a half inch in length and a quarter inch wide. The leaf blade is oblong, elliptic or linear in shape, although the lower leaves may sometimes be ovate or obovate in shape.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Near Septic
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Foot Traffic