Oxypetalum coeruleum

Oxypetalum coeruleum

This is a cute little plant (syn. Tweedia coerulea) that is regarded either as a straggling subshrub or a scandent creeper that needs support to climb. My plant just used to flop untidily everywhere but now I have corralled it upright within a metal obelisk, and it looks a lot better. Oxypetalum coeruleum hails from Brazil and Uruguay. It has amazingly clear blue, star-shaped flowers that are quite long lasting; they appear in summer and early autumn, amidst heart-shaped, grey-green, velvety leaves.

Seeds in seed pod of Oxypetalum coeruleum

Seeds in seed pod of Oxypetalum coeruleum

Long, curved seedpods develop after the blooms fade, filled with downy-tufted seeds. Oxypetalum flourishes in a well-drained, sunny position. It is best grown from seed. It is marginally frost hardy. It doesn't seem to like intense humidity but has survived a few years so far in my garden.

Oxypetalum flowers can be cut for vases. Place in a container of water to allow the milky sap from the stems to disperse, before adding to your floral arrangement.