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Houstonia caerulea Millard's Variety - Quaker ladies

Houstonia caerulea Millard's Variety
Quaker ladies

5,0/5
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Small pots as advertised. Good root hairs. Flowers were already present. I have high hopes that their development will be rapid and fill in a naked space.

Chupa, 08/04/2022

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

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Value-for-money
A charming little perennial ground cover, very hardy, adorned with a multitude of tiny star-shaped blue-lilac flowers with a yellow throat in spring. Houstonia caerulea Millard's Variety is a plant for acidic, well-drained, moist to wet soil, which works wonders in a rockery (as long as it is not too dry), in the gaps between paving stones, and as a ground cover. The foliage persists in winter.
Flower size
1 cm
Height at maturity
10 cm
Spread at maturity
25 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil, Damp soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Flowering time April to June
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Description

Houstonia caerulea Millard's Variety is a creeping perennial plant that is unjustly unknown. On an acidic, moist, and rich soil, this blue Houstonia forms a dense, evergreen carpet in winter, which truly disappears under a cloud of tiny lilac-blue stars in late spring. Very pretty in a moist rockery or between the stones of paving, this flowering carpet perfectly highlights all spring blooms, especially those of daffodils and tulips. You can also place the blue Houstonia at the base of plants grown in pots or containers.

Houstonia caerulea Millard's Variety belongs to the family of Rubiaceae. It is a cultivar derived from the blue Houstonia, native to the eastern and northeastern parts of North America. In nature, this small plant is found in meadows, gravel pits, and moist rocky slopes, in full sun or partial shade, always on acidic to neutral soils. It is a creeping perennial plant with growth that does not exceed 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) in height. It consists of basal rosettes grouped in a dense carpet. The leaves, not exceeding 1cm (0in), are broad at the tip and tapered to the base, slightly villous, and fairly dark green. Flowering begins in April or May, depending on the climate, and lasts for about 3 weeks. From the foliage emerge numerous slender floral stems, each bearing a bright mauve-blue flower with white and yellow markings in the centre. The flowers are so numerous that they overwhelm the foliage. This nectar-rich flowering is visited by bees and butterflies. After pollination, the plant produces seeds that can self-sow in light, acidic, and moist soil.

Houstonia caerulea Millard's Variety has many uses as long as it has acidic, moist, and well-drained soil. Originating from mountainous regions, it dislikes limestone, excessively hot climates, and arid conditions. It is placed in full sun or partial shade between stones near water sources, in a large rockery, along pathways, between stepping stones, in bare patches of a short grass meadow, at the base of trees, in slightly damp areas...

Houstonia caerulea Millard's Variety - Quaker ladies in pictures

Houstonia caerulea Millard's Variety - Quaker ladies (Flowering) Flowering
Houstonia caerulea Millard's Variety - Quaker ladies (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour blue
Flowering time April to June
Flower size 1 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 10 cm
Spread at maturity 25 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Houstonia

Species

caerulea

Cultivar

Millard's Variety

Family

Rubiaceae

Other common names

Quaker ladies

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference73681

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Planting and care

Plant the blue houstonia in full sun or partial shade in moist to damp, well-drained, lime-free (acid to neutral) soil. Mix your soil with compost and lime-free gravel to improve drainage if necessary. It is an excellent hardy rockery plant. It wilts under excessively hot climates in summer and does not tolerate limestone. Multiplication is easily done by pulling up small clumps in spring and replanting them elsewhere.

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Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Rockery, Shaded rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 16 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Damp soil, well-drained, rich

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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