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Bulbine

Common Name: Bulbine

Scientific Name: Bulbine frutescens

Type of Plant: Perennial

Description:This South African native is a perfect perennial for Florida since it tolerates hot temperatures, dry and sandy soils, and blooms throughout the warm months.

Mature Size: 6-12′ tall x 6-12′ wide.

Blooms: Summer-Fall

Fruit:  No

Climate Requirements: Bulbine will grow best if it is planted in a spot that receives full sun, though it can be grown in a site that gets shade for part of the day.  Provide well-drained, compost-enriched soil. 

Care Requirements: Propagation is easy since plants can be divided when the clumps get big enough, and the plants will self-seed.

Spacing: Space plants 12-24″ apart

Water Needs: Water regularly in first growing season to establish root system; once established, reduce frequency.

Maintenance:  Remove spent flowers to encourage fall re-bloom. Remove old, faded foliage as needed.

Attracts: Butterflies

Special Uses/Attributes: Bulbine makes a great ground cover since each plant will grow over time to form a clump that can reach up to four feet wide. This clumping habit also makes bulbine a great passalong plant.  It is generally considered to be deer-resistant.

Florida Native: No

Ground Covers, Inventory, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials

Blue Daze

Common Name: Blue Daze

Scientific Name: Evolvulus glomeratus, Evolvulus glomeratus ‘Blue My Mind’

Type of Plant: Groundcover

Description: Blue Daze, or Evolvulus, is one plant that likes it hot! It grows in a low, spreading mound of fuzzy, light grey foliage that is a nice background to the funnel shaped, powder blue, 5-petaled  flowers with white throats that are born individually near the stem tips. Blue Daze blooms profusely and almost continuously throughout the warm season.  The one-inch flowers bloom during the day, closing if rain approaches.  ‘Blue My Mind’ Blue Daze is an improved variety of Blue Daze. It is more compact and has more flowers.

Mature Size: 6-12″ tall x 24-36″ wide.

Blooms: Lovely blue flowers bloom year-round

Fruit:  No

Climate Requirements: Blue Daze does best in full sun, but can tolerate a little shade, especially at midday.  It needs a well drained soil, but also frequent watering. It cannot tolerate wet soils at all, and very rainy periods or overwatering will cause fungus problems and lead to premature death. Blue Daze needs very little water in winter.

Care Requirements: Fertilize 1 or 2 times monthly with water soluble fertilizer. 1 or 2 times a season with slow-release, granular fertilizer.

Spacing: Space plants 12-18″ apart

Water Needs: Average

Maintenance: Low

Special Uses/Attributes: Blue Daze is a standout in beds and borders or as a ground cover. It’s especially attractive grown in masses near yellow or pink flowering plants. Blue daze is spectacular in container gardens and hanging baskets, where it’s branches will cascade over the edges.  It is highly tolerant of salt, and makes a fine ornamental for the coastal garden or in a planter on an oceanside balcony.

Florida Native: No

Ground Covers, Inventory