Re: Heliotrope

Title: Re: Heliotrope
Joan,
I am also a lover of heliotrope and grow Anthony's old fashioned species (here called H. arborescens) which truly smells of cherry pie in the warmth of the sun.  In Southern California it is a woody based perennial, about 3 ft. by 3 ft., which truly flowers every day of the year, a clear purple. It burns a little in the dead of winter, if we get a cold spell, but recovers with the warmth of spring.

Two years ago I had one from the plant sale at the Huntington Botanic Gardens, a cultivar called 'Chatsworth'.  It has done well, growing lower and spreading. Everything about it is larger; the leaves, and the flower heads (some a good 6 inches across). I was told the cultivar came from England, so I'm hoping you know it and can tell me more.

Because it's such a good one, I've given cuttings to a local grower who is growing it for the trade here.


On 9/30/02 4:32 AM, jhead@headfamily.freeserve.co.uk wrote


By the way, is an interest in heliotropes just a Brit thing?  They make wonderful, vanilla-scented beds over the summer/autumn period and in this warm spell at the moment (my area is forecast to enjoy 23C today, the last day of September, something like 73F) they are looking splendid.  But then so are all the other half hardies including the species lavenders which have never looked better.


I overwinter my heliotropes successfully (clay pots seem best) in the cool conservatory, along with too many other desiderata, and cuttings taken in the early spring have time to make good plants by the end of May, which is when danger of frost is past (usually) in this area.

To return to the original query, I seem unable to find a useful listing/classification on the net and this is where I thought other list members, probably more experienced surfers, might be able to help. Grateful thanks in advance.  I guess I'll have to bury my head in old gardening books and catalogues as well but that can wait till winter.

Joan





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