Isotoma fluviatilis
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Laurentia fluviatilis
- Lobelia fluviatilis
- Rapuntium fluviatilis
- Phonetic Spelling
- eye-so-TOW-mah flew-vee-ah-TE-liss
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Near Septic
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Foot Traffic
