About Heliotrope Marine
These vintage, deep lavender flowers are making a comeback in the American garden. Heliotrope Marine tosses a delicious fragrance of cherries into the sultry summer air. I planted mine along the walkway to my house and enjoyed their fragrance every day. The clusters of purple flowers spread 12 to 18 inches tall and wide blooming profusely all summer. Heliotrope Marine is a tropical plant so loves the summer heat but is sensitive to cold temperatures. The University of Minnesota lists Heliotrope as a deer resistant plant.
Heliotrope Marine
Planting and Growing Heliotrope
Make sure your Heliotrope “harden off” to cool nights and windy conditions before planting. This requires leaving them outside in a protected area for a few days otherwise, they may wilt after planting. Choose an area that is sunny. Prepare your planting hole by turning the soil at least a shovel size deep and wide and be sure the hole is filled with plenty of organic matter for best results. Remove your plant from its pack and gently loosen the root ball. Plant deep enough to cover the top of the root ball. Press down firmly on the soil and then water it in. Consider fertilizing once or twice a season. You can mulch if you like but not too close to the plant to avoid rot.
