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Trachelium caeruleum (Blue Throatwort) - An herbaceous evergreen perennial that grows as a clump to 2 to 3 feet tall by as wide with dark green to reddish-bronze elliptical shaped leaves that have toothed margins. From spring though most of summer appear above the foliage the 4- to 5-inch-wide flattened dome-shaped clusters of 1/2 inch wide star-shaped blue-violet flowers. The flowers are slightly fragrant with a scent somewhat resembling that of a lilac.
Plant in full to part sun in most any well-drained soil with regular irrigation. It is a plant that actually prefers the alkaline soils common to many western gardens and it remains evergreen in our climate but can be treated more as a semi-hardy deciduous perennial elsewhere, possibly tolerating temperatures as low as 0° F. It can be used as a long blooming annual in even colder climates. A prolonged bloom appearance through fall can be had by deadheading spent flowers and with this treatment plants stay more upright without needing support and a hard trim to the ground in winter tidies up the plant. Blue Throatwort is fairly pest free while also attracting birds and butterflies to the garden. It is a fantastic filler plant and great for cut flower use both fresh and dry, though some people have a slight allergenic reaction to the flowers, which reportedly can cause a rash.
Trachelium caeruleum is native to areas along the western Mediterranean Sea, in North African (Algeria, Morocco) and Europe (Spain, Italy) and north into Portugal. The name for the genus is derived from the Greek word 'trachelos' meaning "a neck" from its reputed use in the treatment of ailments of the throat, which also corresponds to its common name Throatwort. The specific epithet given to this plant by Linnaeus in 1753 comes from the Latin word 'caerule' which means "blue". This plant is also commonly called the Blue Lace Flower or Umbrella Flower. We have grown it at the nursery since 1992.
The information about Trachelium caeruleum displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
