After the first year, I realized that I had a prize edger so I decided to make better use the plants. During the relocation project I discovered that the heliotrope grows long taproots. Even if you move it, you probably have left it behind! Fortunately, I don't consider this a problem unless you plant it under roses (I'm still trying to remove it from that spot).
The heliotrope is definitely deer, rabbit and sun proof. The plant thrives in harsh conditions for zones 7-11, though it would not surprise me if it grows in colder zones.
On my blog and on gardening forums, I sang the praises of this plant to everyone—for several years! No one had heard of it. No gardener could find it. My friends thought creeping heliotrope was a make-believe perennial that only existed in my garden (or in my mind).
Although I made it famous, heliotropium amplexicaule 'Azure Skies' is now in the Southern Living® Collection, not the Freda Cameron Collection. The perennial is from the Athens Select™ program.
You can buy the heliotrope at retail garden centers in the summer, but I don't get any kick-backs or commissions for all my marketing and public relations efforts. Even the Grumpy Gardener had to visit my garden to take a photo of HIS perennial!
I photographed six months of continuous bloom in 2009, but it actually bloomed into November before I finally cut it back. My favorite use is growing the heliotrope along the edge of the stream to cover the ankles of salvias, zinnias and other cottage garden favorites. I planted the stream-side pieces, three feet apart, in spring 2009.
This heliotrope is not to be confused with the very fragrant, annual heliotrope. In fact, you could say this one doesn't smell too good which is probably why all critters leave it alone.
My perennial heliotrope gets no care from me other than the fall cut back. It stands alone. It blooms. All spring. All summer. All fall.
So, go ahead and add heliotropium amplexicaule 'Azure Skies' to your sunny garden, too!
Words and photos by Freda Cameron, Defining Your Home, Garden and Travel. All company or product or patented names mentioned are registered trademarks/copyrights/patents owned by those respective companies or persons.
I want to give this one a try. I remember when you talked about this plant before. Certainly sounds like a winner.
ReplyDeleteCameron,
ReplyDeleteYou have got your garden figured out and I love it. I can see why you sang its praises. I'm pretty sure that heliotrope won't work here but I'm surely going to do a little research because you've sold ME!
Meems
Cameron, I was afraid of that....it is Zone 7....I am a much colder Zone 6! Blast.
ReplyDeleteFinding a plant that will bloom that long is a very good thing.
I admire your research and the resulting beautiful garden.
I want it!!! How funny about the Grump photographing it in your garden. I do think you should have a Freda Cameron collection, with royalties of course. We will keep an eye out for it. I will speak to Ruth at Mouse Creek about it. She will be able to get some, I hope. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Good morning Cameron. It is very pretty. I love plants like this one along paths or over rocks.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
If it would grow here, I'd get it! It's a very sweet plant, isn't it? Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your garden throughout the growing season! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Cameron
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly a terrific edger and the fact it's 'unbustable' is fine by me.
Yes, I've talked this one to death! :-)
ReplyDeleteI've received a few emails asking where I got my heliotrope. I bought my plants from a local home-based garden retail place called The Unique Plant in Chapel HIll.
Last summer, I saw that Lowe's Hardware garden center was carrying the plants with the Southern Living Collection logo on the tags.
I imagine it could get mixed up with verbena 'Homestead Purple' as the foliage is similar.
I just realized that I started writing this blog in March 2007!
This is a great plant, C. I have had it in my garden for 10 years. H.
ReplyDeleteThanks for publicizing our plant! Now I can send my son to trade school.
ReplyDeleteI love the foliage and flower color and would like to try it here in NY. I thought that the first time you talked about it but had forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me :)
ReplyDeleteI have this heliotrope in my garden cascading over a low wall. Always in bloom. Takes no care. How wonderful of you to help Southern Living publicize this awesome plant.
ReplyDelete