Heliotrope Dwarf Marine – Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds

Heliotropium arborescens

• Half Hardy Perennial
• Full Sun
• Attracts bees and butterflies
• Delicious scent reminiscent of cherry pie!
• Clusters of purple blooms with contrasting foliage
• Fantastic feature plant on the patio or in a border

Best grown as a half hardy annual, it has beautiful clusters of intensely coloured, nectar rich flowers. Often called ‘Cherry Pie’ in reference to its wonderful fragrance, it attracts butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects.

Approx. 150 seeds

Sow indoors, February-April. A warm kitchen windowsill is all you need for starting these seeds. Sow, 0.5cm (“) deep, in trays of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 15-20C (60-68F) is ideal. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 14-28 days. Transplant them, 5cm (2″) apart, when large enough to handle. Always hold by a leaf, never by the stem. Grow on in cooler, but not cold conditions. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out, May-June, 25cm (10”) apart, into well-drained soil, when frosts are over. Flowers: July-October.

Will require less water in cooler conditions, but do not allow to dry out.

Bring wildlife into your garden: A favourite with butterflies, it will also attract bees and other pollinating insects. Commonly called ‘cherry pie’ in reference to its scent.