Heliotropium Dwarf Marine

Half-hardy Annual

• Germination : Easy
• Aftercare : Easy
• Ideal for : Baskets, Bedding, Borders, Containers, Patios
• Special Features : Flowers in 1st Year
• Height : 14 inches

Description

Once you've experienced the sweet, pungent scent, coming from Heliotrope, or 'cherry pie' as it is commonly called, on a still summer evening you won't want to be without it. Few plants can fill the air with such a heady fragrance as this. Marine is a royal purple, large flowered yet compact form with attractive, dark green foliage and bushy habit. Excellent for beds, borders and as a summer flowering pot plant. Flowers summer. Height 45cm (18in).

Sowing Instructions

Sow in late winter/early spring (February to March) 1.5mm (1/16in) deep in a good free draining seed compost, which should be moist but not over wet. Germination takes 14-21 days at 20-25C (70-75F). Lowering the temperature at night helps germination.

Growing Instructions

Transplant when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow on in cooler conditions. When 10-13cm (4-5in) tall pinch out the growing point and repeat when the side shoots reach the same length to make them bushy. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions and-plant out after all risk of frost 30cm (12in) apart in a sunny, sheltered spot in light well drained soil.

Aftercare

Can be grown as pot plants in 13cm (5in) pots but do not feed. For maximum scent, grow in a warm sunny sheltered spot.