Heliotrope, Cherry Pie

Heat Tolerance: Difficult to keep alive in summer in Phoenix, morning sun only

Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun

Origin: Peruvian Andes

Growth Habits: Perennial shrub often grown as tender annual, up to 4 feet tall (1.2 m), 5 feet spread (1.5 m), much smaller as annual 1-2 feet spred (30-60 cm)

Flowers: Violet flowers

Watering Needs: Moderate water, good drainage, added organic matter

Propagation: Seeds, cuttings in summer

Heliotropium arborescens in Curtis Botanical Magazine

When grown as an annual, Heliotropes are good flower bed and border plants. They also do fine and container. Plant them next to walkways, doors and windows where their fragrance will be enjoyed.

All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Blooming Habits:
The heliotrope has clusters of 0.25 inches (6 mm) fragrant flowers with cherry pie or vanilla scent, from late spring to autumn.

Culture:
Seeds might take several weeks to germinate. In Phoenix, they can be started in early fall, and the seedlings set in place in early March. If you can find plants in late summer, they have more chance to do fine the following summer if they have had all the winter to grow roots. In colder climates, set the plants out 3 weeks after the last frost date, so that the ground has had a chance to warm up. Set the plants 12 inches apart (30 cm). Pinching the tips in early summer promote a more bushy growth and flowers.

In colder climates, the plants can be overwintered inside. To do that, dig the heliotropes up before they are damaged by the frost. Cut all the branches back by at least half their length, plant them in a container that you will put in a plastic bag until the plants have recovered (about a month). Open the bag gradually over the course of a week or two. Keep the pot in a sunny place.