Heliotropium arborescens
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Heliotropium peruvianum
- Phonetic Spelling
- hee-lee-oh-TROH-pee-um ar-bor-ESS-enz
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Heliotrope is a tender perennial in the borage family (Boraginaceae) native to Peru, Columbia and Bolivia. The species epithet is Latin for "becoming tree-like," in allusion to its large size under ideal conditions.
In its natural tropical range, it can grow 2 to 6 feet tall by 6 to 8 feet wide, although plants up to 2 feet tall and wide are the norm. As an annual or houseplant, it will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. Grow in full sun in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil and keep soil moist. In hot summer climates, some afternoon shade is appreciated. Pinch back stems to encourage bushiness.
The clusters of showy purple flowers are strongly fragrant with a vanilla-like scent and appear all summer. The deeply veined oval leaves are up to 3 inches long.
Heliotrope can cause liver failure in horses. It is toxic to humans if eaten in large amounts.
Use this heliotrope in the border or in groups of a pollinator garden or cottage garden. Flowers attract pollinators. It is also used in the florist trade.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for whiteflies, spider mites, aphids and mealybugs,
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Beauty'
Deep color foliage - ‘Chatsworth
Received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit - 'Fragrant delight'
More fragrant purple flowers and leaves with purple highlights - 'Princess Marina'
Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit - 'Sweet heaven'
Paler flowers and more heat tolerant. - 'White'
White flowers with almond fragrance
- 'Black Beauty'
- 'Black Beauty', ‘Chatsworth, 'Fragrant delight', 'Princess Marina', 'Sweet heaven', 'White'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Beauty'
Deep color foliage - ‘Chatsworth
Received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit - 'Fragrant delight'
More fragrant purple flowers and leaves with purple highlights - 'Princess Marina'
Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit - 'Sweet heaven'
Paler flowers and more heat tolerant. - 'White'
White flowers with almond fragrance
- 'Black Beauty'
- 'Black Beauty', ‘Chatsworth, 'Fragrant delight', 'Princess Marina', 'Sweet heaven', 'White'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Heliotropium
- Species:
- arborescens
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western South America
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Description:
- Matures to rough nutlets
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are small, in rounded clusters. Strong vanilla fragrance. Blooms all summer.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Oval, dark green leaves (to 3” long) are prominently veined.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Horses
