Marine Heliotrope Plants

Heliotropium arborescens

No Victorian home or garden was complete without a few heliotrope plants. They have a habit of turning to face the sun; east to west during the day, and back to the east during the night so that it can meet the dawn when it comes. Both the Greek name heliotrope (helios for sun, and tropein, to turn) and the old English name turnsole refer to this tendency.

This lovely plant has dark green leaves and dark blue broccoli-like 4-6 inch flower clusters above branching stems. It has a light, unforgettable vanilla fragrance and its flower clusters really attracts bees to the garden. It makes an excellent container or garden plant.