Scientific Name:
Heliotropium arborescens
cvs.
Pronunciation:
hee-lee-oh-TROPE-ee-um are-bore-ESS-enz
Common Name:
heliotrope, cherry pie
Family Name:
Boraginaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (grown as)
Key ID Features:
Leaves alternate, dark, very rugose (similar to viburnum), with a strong scent when crushed; florets in a large, dense, purple/white/blue corymb-like cyme.
Habit:
Open, Spreading, Upright
Form:
Mounded, Oval - horizontal, Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
South America (Peru)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 11: (above 4 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Attract birds, Attract butterflies, Bedding plant, Container planting, Fragrance, Group or mass planting, Hanging basket, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Heavily veined
Surfaces:
Rugose, Pubescent
Colour in Summer:
Dark purplish green
Shapes:
Elliptic
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Attenuate
Margins:
Ciliate
Inflorescence Type:
Cyme, Floriferous, Corymb-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Funnelform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Blue, Violet, Purple, Dark-red (Heliotropium arborescens 'Marine' is the cultivar shown in the images. 'Fragrant Delight' is deep lavender.)
Flower Scent:
Sweet
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Flowers smell of vanilla
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant, Ovary separates into four tiny mericarps or "nutlets"
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Propagation:
Seed, Softwood cuttings
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Mites, Root rot (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant)
