Jessie Keith
Family
Boraginaceae
Botanical Name
Heliotropium arborescens 'Helio0901'(INCENSE™)
Plant Common Name
Blue Heliotrope, Incense™ Heliotrope
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Shorter in maturity and displaying fragrant medium purple blossoms, Incense™ heliotrope is a tender perennial garden flower that originates from Peru. It is commonly grown as a bedding annual but is a shrubby evergreen perennial where hardy.
This bushy plant has attractive very dark green leaves with deep venation. When conditions are favorable, it produces large clusters of many tiny tubular clear purple flowers. These have a sweet, fruity fragrance. In fact, an old common name for Heliotropium arborescens is "cherry pie." The sweet blooms are irresistible to butterflies and bees and are followed by brown fruits. Regular deadheading will keep Incense™ looking fresh while encouraging 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, including where light seaspray may reach its green leaves.
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
10"-15" / 25.4cm - 38.1cm
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Width
12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm
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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
Clay, Loam
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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)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
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
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Hanging Basket, Mixed Border
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Hummingbirds, Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
No
