Garden Heliotrope Heliotropium
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Garden Heliotrope:
- Phonetic Spelling
- hee-lee-oh-TROH-pee-um
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Heliotropes is a genus of around 325 species in the borage family (Boraginaceae). Some are native to Europe and Africa and considered "Old World" varieties and some are native to the Americas and considered " New World" varieties. Some are weeds and others are used as ornamentals. The genus name derives from the Greek words helios (meaning ‘sun) and tropos (meaning ‘to turn’).
The ornamental heliotropes can grow 1 to 4 feet tall and generally prefer full sun in a climate with warm winters and cool summers and don't do well in hot humid locations. They require humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil that is kept moist at all times. They can be grown as perennials in zones 9 to 11 or as annuals in colder areas. Some can tolerate down to zone 7.
Fragrant flowers tend to be in clusters of white or purple that don't actually follow the sun. Bloom time can vary by species, as can the leaves. They are poisonous to humans, pets, cattle and horses.
Use heliotropes in containers, in the border or in groups of a pollinator, cottage or English garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, snails, slugs and spider mites. Potential diseases are powdery mildew, leafspot and root rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- H. amplexicaule, H. arborescens
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- H. amplexicaule, H. arborescens
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Heliotropium
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical and temporate America, Europe
- Distribution:
- throughout North America
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- 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
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Small dry fruits that mature to 2 to 4 nutlets.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, 5-parted, blue, purple, or white, on a slender, coiled, stem.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Leavesvary per species
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- English Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Toxic if eaten in large quantities. Digestive upset and liver damage over continued use; sometimes used in herbal teas.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
