Garden Heliotrope Heliotropium arborescens 'Princess Marina'
ABOUT
Heliotropium arborescens 'Princess Marina', commonly known as heliotrope, is a highly ornamental plant known for its attractive and sweet-smelling flowers. The plant showcases dense clusters of tiny, vibrant purple or violet blooms that may resemble tiny forget-me-nots. These blossoms are arranged in rounded, somewhat flattened clusters at the ends of the stems and are known to attract pollinarians such as butterflies. The foliage of 'Princess Marina' is a lush green, with leaves that are broad and somewhat oval-shaped with a pointed tip. The leaves typically have a wrinkled or quilted texture, with prominent veins running throughout. They are often arranged in a symmetrical pattern, growing opposite from each other along the stems, adding to the overall lush appearance of the plant. 'Princess Marina' is particularly valued for its intensely fragrant flowers, which have a sweet, vanilla-like scent that can perfume the air, especially in the evening. The combination of its visual appeal and lovely aroma makes it a popular choice for gardens, borders, and as a component in container plantings, where its sensory attributes can be enjoyed up close.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Boraginaceae.
Synonyms
Garden Heliotrope, Cherry Pie Plant.
Common names
Heliotropium arborescens 'Princess Marina'.
ToxicityTo humans
Garden heliotrope contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are toxic to humans if ingested. These alkaloids can cause liver damage, and symptoms of poisoning may include jaundice, liver failure, and hepatic encephalopathy. Prolonged or repeated exposure to these toxins can lead to severe health implications such as lung damage and has been linked to certain cancers.
To pets
Garden heliotrope can be toxic to pets as well due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pets ingesting this plant may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, liver failure, jaundice, and abdominal pain. Chronic poisoning can result in significant long-term health issues, including liver damage and potential lung and liver cancers.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters)
Spread
1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
10
Native area
South America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: The plant's flowers are known to attract bees and butterflies, aiding in the pollination of your garden.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Heliotropium arborescens 'Princess Marina', commonly known as garden heliotrope, adds visual interest with its vibrant, purple flowers and lush green foliage.
- Fragrance: Garden heliotrope is well-loved for its sweet, vanilla-like fragrance that can create a pleasant atmosphere in gardens and outdoor spaces.
- Compact Growth: Being a compact plant, it is suitable for small gardens or as a border plant without taking up too much space.
- Container Gardening: It can be successfully grown in containers, which makes it versatile for patios, balconies, or other limited-space gardening.
- Seasonal Interest: With a long blooming season, typically from spring to fall, it provides extended interest and color in a garden setting.
- Edging and Borders: Its bushy and rounded habit makes it an excellent choice for creating defined edges and borders in garden designs.
- Easy to Grow: Garden heliotrope is generally easy to cultivate, making it a good choice for novice gardeners.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Prop: Heliotropes, with their lush clusters of small flowers and deep green foliage, can serve as an attractive backdrop or a focal point for macro photography, enhancing the composition of garden and flower photos.
- Literary Inspiration: The sweet fragrance and enchanting form of heliotropes can inspire poets and writers, serving as a metaphor or a vivid detail in poetry and prose.
- Educational Tool: Heliotropes can be used in educational settings to teach students about pollination, as they attract bees and butterflies, which can be observed in the act of pollinating the flowers.
- Artistic Muse: The varying shades of purple and the intricate structure of heliotrope flowers can inspire artists, leading to depictions in watercolor, oil paintings, and other visual arts.
- Scented Sachets: Dried heliotrope flowers can be used to create fragrant sachets that can be placed in drawers or closets to impart a pleasant aroma to clothing and linens.
- Botanical Studies: Heliotrope can be cultivated and used in botanical studies and research to understand plant growth, patterns, and the effects of environmental changes on flowering plants.
- Natural Dye: The flowers and leaves of heliotropes, when processed properly, can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, yarns, or crafts.
- Garden Design: Heliotropes can act as a contrasting or complementary plant in landscape design, helping to create a visually appealing garden layout due to their rich color and texture.
- Culinary Garnish: While not commonly used and should be used with caution due to its potential toxicity, heliotrope flowers can be used as an ornamental garnish for certain dishes to add a touch of elegance, after ensuring they are safe and not consumed.
- Perfumery: The essence of heliotrope flowers, carefully extracted and processed, can be used in the creation of fragrances, adding a vanilla-like sweetness to perfumes.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Cherry Pie is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Cherry Pie is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Devotion: Heliotropism, the ability of the plant to turn towards the sun, symbolizes faithfulness and perpetual devotion, representing an unwavering connection.
- Healing: With its historical use in medicine, the heliotrope signifies recovery and the power of healing.
- Eternal life: The steady growth pattern and perennial nature of the heliotrope are often associated with immortality and the endurance of the soul.
- Attraction: The plant’s sweet fragrance and vibrant colors are symbolic of allure and drawing things in towards oneself.
WaterTo properly water your garden heliotrope, ensure the soil is kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. It's essential to water deeply, so the water reaches the root zone. During the active growing season in spring and summer, garden heliotropes typically require watering once or twice per week, depending on weather conditions. In hotter, drier periods, you may need to water more frequently to prevent the soil from drying out. Expect to use about 1 gallon of water per plant for each watering session, depending on the size of the plant and the environmental conditions.
LightGarden heliotropes thrive in full sun to partial shade conditions. Ideally, they should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. However, in extremely hot climates, they benefit from afternoon shade to protect them from the intense heat. A spot that gets morning sun and some afternoon protection would be perfect for keeping your garden heliotrope healthy and blooming.
TemperatureGarden heliotropes prefer warm temperatures and perform best in conditions where the temperature ranges between 60°F and 80°F. They struggle when temperatures dip below 50°F and cannot survive frost or prolonged temperatures under freezing, which is 32°F. It's important to protect garden heliotropes from cold drafts and to bring them indoors or provide protection if an unexpected drop in temperature is forecasted.
PruningPrune your garden heliotrope to promote bushier growth and more blooms, and to maintain its shape. Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming throughout the season. The best time to prune for shaping is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Light pruning can be done throughout the growing season as needed.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGarden heliotrope thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. A good mix for container growing could be one part peat, one part garden loam, and one part perlite or coarse sand to ensure proper drainage and aeration. Regular application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer will keep it healthy.
RepottingThe garden heliotrope should be repotted every two to three years or as needed when it outgrows its pot. Choose a container that is one size larger than the current one to allow for growth.
Humidity & MistingGarden heliotrope prefers moderate to high humidity levels. Maintaining indoor humidity around 40-50% is ideal for this plant to thrive.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect sunlight.
Outdoor
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleHeliotropium arborescens 'Princess Marina', commonly known as garden heliotrope, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in warm, moist soil, typically in the spring. Following germination, the seedling emerges, developing its first set of true leaves and initiating the vegetative growth stage, where the plant focuses on building a strong root system and foliage. As it matures during the growing season, the heliotrope enters the flowering stage, producing clusters of fragrant purple flowers that attract pollinators and support reproduction. Following pollination, the plant sets seeds, which can be collected and dispersed, allowing for the continuation of the species. As a perennial in warmer climates or an annual in cooler areas, the heliotrope may die back with the onset of cold weather or complete its life cycle within one growing season, respectively. In the case of perennial plants, the heliotrope will overwinter and resume its growth cycle when favorable conditions return.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Heliotropium arborescens 'Princess Marina', commonly known as garden heliotrope, is best propagated through stem cuttings. This method is popular due to its effectiveness and simplicity. To propagate, select a healthy stem from the parent plant during spring or early summer, when the plant is in its active growth phase. Cut a 4 to 6 inch (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) portion of the stem just below a leaf node, using clean, sharp shears. Remove the lower leaves, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. Plant the stem cutting in a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Place the pot in a warm location with indirect sunlight, and in a few weeks, the cutting should develop roots and start to grow into a new heliotrope plant.
