Jessie Keith
Family
Boraginaceae
Botanical Name
Heliotropium arborescens 'Black Beauty'
Plant Common Name
Black Beauty Heliotrope, Blue Heliotrope
General Description
Highly fragrant and producing royal purple flowers against dark foliage, Black Beauty heliotrope is a tender perennial garden flower with old-fashioned charm. It is commonly grown as a bedding annual but survives as a shrubby evergreen perennial where hardy.
This bushy plant has attractive very dark blackish green leaves with pronounced venation. When growing conditions are favorable, it produces large, rounded clusters of many tiny tubular deep purple or indigo flowers. These have a sweet, fruity fragrance. The sweet blooms are irresistible to butterflies and bees and followed by brown fruits. Regular deadheading will keep plants looking fresh and encourage further flowering.
Heliotrope grows best in full to partial sun and evenly moist, but well-drained, fertile soil. Regular deadheading will keep flowers coming in profusion as will regular fertilizer. Plant this favorite bedding plant anywhere where a dark accent flower is desired.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
10 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 13
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
24"-36" / 61.0cm - 91.4cm
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Width
20"-30" / 50.8cm - 76.2cm
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
South America
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Salt
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Purple
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
