Bluets Houstonia caerulea
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hoos-TOH-nee-uh see-ROO-lee-uh
- Description
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Bluet is a herbaceous perennial that may grow to a height of 6 inches. The leaves are opposite with a smooth margin. The leaves that originate at the base of the stem are large, while the two leaves on the stem are small. Blue flowers with yellow centers first mature in mid-spring and continue into early summer.
This lovely, delicate, flowering plant is often found in striking patches of light blue. The Star Violet (H. pusilla), to 4 in 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 in 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
- Family:
- Rubiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Distribution:
- Eastern US
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
- 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:
- Deciduous
- 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)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- 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
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- 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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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- 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:
- Deciduous
- 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
