Heliotrope Perennial Flowers
The heliotrope flower's habit of rotating toward the the sun earned the plant its name, as the word heliotrope refers to the action of tracking the sun's movements. The need for sunlight is so strong that after dark, heliotrope plants orient themselves to face east in order to be in alignment with the rising sun. Another commonly used nickname is turnsole, which also relates to the plant's habit of facing the sun. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Container Specimens
-
Heliotropes function well when grown in containers such as pots or hanging baskets, where they flourish when given regular feedings of phosphorus-enriched, water-soluble fertilizer. Keep the soil moist, but not too wet, and set the container in an area where the heliotrope receives full morning sun. Move the plant to a shadier spot later in the day to avoid sun damage. They do well in mixed containers, as long as their roots are not too crowded and they continue to receive adequate water and care.
Garden Specimens
-
Plant heliotropes in a sunny, sheltered-from-the-wind spot. They do best in rich soil that is covered by several inches of mulch, which prevents the roots from drying out. Water regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but well-drained. Feed heliotropes every six weeks to assure healthy growth. Balanced formulas of 10-10-10 are preferable, and granular, slow-release formulations work well and offer ease of use.
-
Pinching Back
-
Remove spent flowers by deadheading, or pinching, them from the stems. This encourages future blooming and stimulates the heliotrope to put out new growth. To obtain fuller plants, pinch out the tops of the growing plants. Rather than harming the plant, this causes the heliotrope to produce new stems with more leaves and buds.
Propagation
-
Do not dispose of the pinched-off plant tops; place them in a container of water until roots form and then plant them in a container. Alternatively, plant the cuttings in a small pot filled with good-quality potting soil and keep well watered. They quickly grow into plants that can either be transplanted into the garden or kept in a container.
Size
-
Heliotropes reach heights of 1 to 2 feet tall, making them suitable for inside or outside growing. Untrimmed heliotropes can become spindly or thin-looking, but regular grooming by pinching them back keeps them looking their best.
Scent
-
The heliotrope's sweet fragrance is reminiscent of fruits and spices. This attribute earned the plant another nickname--the cherry pie plant. The fragrance intensifies in the mornings and evenings, leveling off to a milder scent during the middle of the day. Heliotropes grown in containers smell as sweet as specimens planted in the garden.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit purple flowers image by Diane Stamatelatos from Fotolia.com
