General Landscape Uses:
Wildflower gardens, borders.
Availability:
Widely available in central Florida. Available at native plant nurseries in South Florida. Available in Lake Worth at
Amelia's SmartyPlants (561-540-6296).
Description: Wildflower with a base that appears like a short bunching grass about 1 foot tall. Blue flowers with three petals appear in clusters in the morning and fade by midday.
Dimensions: Typically one foot in height, as broad as tall.
Growth Rate: Fast.
Range:
Eastern half of the United States from New Hampshire to Minnesota, south to Texas and Dade county.
Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.
Map of suggested ZIP codes from South Florida north to southern Brevard, Osceola, Polk, and Pasco counties.
Map of ZIP codes with habitat recommendations from the Monroe County Keys north to Martin and Charlotte counties.
Habitats: Open, disturbed sites.
Soils: Dry to moist, well-drained sandy soils, without humus.
Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance: Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance: Moderate to high; plants growing in extremely dry soils may die during extended periods of drought.
Light Requirements: Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color: Blue to rose.
Flower Characteristics: Showy.
Flowering Season: February-September.
Wildlife and Ecology: Attracts native bees and other beneficial insects.
References: Hammer (
2016), Wunderlin and Hansen 2011
Comments: We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's
Flower Friday page.
