Bluets Houstonia caerulea
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hoos-TOH-nee-uh see-ROO-lee-uh
- Description
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Houstonia caerulea, commonly called common bluets, is a small, delicate perennial that is found growing in compact tufts, up to 8 in. high. The plants may cover broad expanses. The tiny pale blue flowers have yellow centers, are star-shaped, tubular and terminal, with four united petals
This lovely, delicate, flowering plant is often found in striking patches of light blue. The Star Violet (H. pusilla), to 4 (10 cm) high, has a tiny purple flower and occurs in fields and open woods from South Dakota east to Maryland and south to Florida and Texas. A tall southern species, 6-16 (15-40 cm) high, Large Houstonia (H. purpurea), has 3-5, ribbed, opposite, ovate leaves, and white or pink flowers. It occurs from Nebraska northeast to Maine and south to Florida and Texas. These and certain other Houstonia species have sometimes been placed in the genus Hedyotis.
Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.
Regions: Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal plains
Seasons of Interest:
Blooms: Spring Nut/Fruit/Seed: Summer
Wildlife Value: This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer. Its flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Houstonia
- Species:
- caerulea
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Distribution:
- Eastern US
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- fire in the landscape.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herb
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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
- Loam (Silt)
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flower stems are unbranched. Flowers have a yellow center with four stamens attached to the corolla tube.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves on the flower stem (opposite) are much smaller than those at the base (rosulate).
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Rock Wall
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Fire
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
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Phlox paniculata
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Leucanthemum vulgare
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Lobelia erinus
