Want to bring the romance of the Victorian era to your garden? Then consider trying heliotrope (pronounced HEE-lee-uh-trōp) this summer. This annual was a favorite bedding plant in the 1800s, when it was treasured for its delicious vanilla scent. The plant’s aroma is so strong that Wayne Winterrowd writes in his book, Annuals and Tender Plants for North American Gardens, that heliotrope flowers give “the impression…of a perfume bottle unstopped.”

The purple flowers of heliotrope are easy on the eye and nose.

Photo Credit: Lane Greer

Heliotrope and red geranium make a great combination.

Photo Credit: Lane Greer

The dark foliage of ‘Black Beauty’ is a sharp contrast to the plant’s flowers.

Photo Credit: Lane Greer

You can overwinter heliotrope in a greenhouse and use it to form a mini-tree.

Photo Credit: Lane Greer

Of course, today’s heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) is a bit different from what was used in the plant’s golden age. If you found it growing naturally, the annual’s pinkish-violet or dark lavender blooms would light up the landscape and fill the air with its scent. Since its heyday, however, breeders have taken the species and created plants with medium to dark purple blooms. Unfortunately for the modern gardener, breeding has also removed much of the wonderful fragrance, and you really have to get close to the plant now to catch the scent. But though the breeders taketh away, they also giveth – having added good disease resistance to the plant (which is a good thing, since disease just happened to be heliotrope’s downfall in olden times).

Chances are you’ll run across a few popular heliotrope cultivars when you’re on the prowl for annuals to add to your garden. ‘Marine’ has large, dark purple flowers on bushy plants. ‘Marine Light Blue’ is very similar, but with pale blue-purple flowers. ‘Alba’ features white blooms. And there’s a new introduction aptly named ‘Black Beauty’ due to its very dark-colored leaves.

While the plant’s blooms get most of the attention, the dark green, hairy, rugose (rough and wrinkly) leaves are pretty interesting, as well. To make the most of both the flowers and the leaves, be sure to plant heliotrope in rich, well-drained soil, where it flourishes. (It declines in clay or a heavy potting mix). Also watch out for overwatering. (If you do overwater, your plant will quickly tell you by offering up black leaves.)

Heliotrope likes full sun, or some afternoon shade if grown in an area where summers are hot. Although it’s a summer bloomer and enjoys hot weather, this wonderful plant doesn’t perform well in areas with high heat and humidity. With good care, you can expect your plants to grow about 18-24 inches tall.

When it comes to using this beauty in the garden, your options are almost endless. You can combine heliotrope with just about anything – including hot pinks, soft pinks, deep reds, oranges or yellows. One of my favorite combinations is with red zonal geraniums. Try using it in mass as a bedding plant. Or for easier soil control, pot it up in a container – or better yet, in a hanging basket (so it’s even closer to your nose). Try it with just about any color shade of trailing verbena. I’ve also used it with orange trailing zinnias, and all I can say is, “wow!”

The species name “arborescens” means “treelike” – and it’s a good description. In fact, older plants form a woody trunk and are often shaped into standards (mini-trees). The most impressive heliotrope I’ve ever seen was shaped into a standard and had lots of trailing plants under it. All were in a large container, which could be moved in and out of a greenhouse pretty easily over the winter. (While heliotrope is typically used as an annual, it can overwinter from USDA hardiness Zone 9 south, or it should be kept in a greenhouse.)

So if you’re interested in recapturing a bit of old-fashioned flower power in your garden, pot up some heliotrope this year – and get ready to enjoy vibrant purple flowers and a sugary scent all summer. You’ll be glad you did!