Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Heliotrope, a favorite plant and scent


Heliotrope has a sweet scent, light and like sugar. I love scented plants including some Asiatic lilies like Tom Pouce, with beautiful flowers whose scent can fill a room. Heliotrope has a more delicate fragrance and is not overpowering the way some lilies and other flowers are. Once I brought a Tom Pouce bloom to work and a co-worker said it was a bit much so I took it home the next day.
I planted three kinds of Heliotrope this year, which can grow in compact form to ten inches tall or other varieties as tall as 2 to 3 feet tall, and is good in zones 9-11. I put two in pots and will bring them inside before weather gets too cold. The other two are planted in the ground so I hope they will winter over ok.
The above photos are of my True Beauty Heliotrope which I planted September 10, 2016 in a large container. I also planted two Atlanta Heliotrope and one Heliotropium Scentropia Blue. Heliotrope is often called Cherry Pie Flower due to its delicious scent.  As you can see, the leaves are dark green and very attractive. The Heliotropes I mention here are Common Heliotrope or Heliotropium arborescens, not to be confused with Garden Heliotrope or Valariana officinalis (which I have not planted).
Do you have favorite or unusual fragrant plants?

16 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Very pretty! I've grown heliotrope before, but I don't know which kind, and they did have a wonderful scent.

Happy Fall Terra ~ FlowerLady

donna baker said...

Have never seen nor planted heliotrope, though I have heard of it. Wish I could smell it.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I love that flower and realize now that I have not planted it in my gardens for a few years. I love its scent and it's lacy look when placed with other flowers.

Jennifer said...

I'm not familiar with heliotrope, but that sure is a beautiful plant! Some of my favorite scented flowers are gardenias and lilies. Summer flowers that are now gone for another year! :)

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I'm not sure that I am familiar with that plant. It sure looks pretty!

Anonymous said...

This is stunning! I can only imagine how sweet the fragrance is.

Many years ago, I grew chocolate mint and each time I rubbed the leaves between my fingers, I thought of a York Peppermint candy!

Blondie's Journal said...

So pretty! I recognize the Latin name but wondering what the common name is.

Jane

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Terra - gorgeous looking plants - I'm not sure I've come across them before ... but the scent must be wonderful ... though some people I know can't manage flowers - the smell gives them allergies ... I'm so glad I'm not one of them.

I love all natural scents ... roses, lavender, jasmine ... and many others! Cheers Hilary

Pom Pom said...

So pretty! The blue is so deep!
I love the colors and varieties of zinnias.
Have a great day, Terra!

xinex said...

How beautiful! The sweet scent would be an added bonus....Christine

Sam I Am...... said...

Beautiful flowers and I love scent...the stronger the better for me! I wrote them down but have never seen them around here. I would probably have to order but sure looks worth it!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Terra,

Beautiful plant and I have not come across this before. I too love anything that has a wonderful fragrance like lavender, freesias and my roses.
Enjoy the weekend and many thanks for visiting me
Carolyn

Summer said...

Such a gorgeous plant ♥

20 North Ora said...

Those are beautiful Terra!!

Judy

Red Rose Alley said...

Ooooo, I'm not familiar with this flower, but it's so pretty. The color is gorgeous.

Happy November, Terra.

love, ~Sheri

Tootsie said...

OMG that horse is hilarious! lol There is one in our town too...it stands on the front steps of the place that it 'lives' I laugh every time I drive past it.
Heliotrope...almost killed my dog. She never nibbled on ANY plants in my garden...except that one. Normally she would just go around and smell all the blooms and then lay down in the grass. Heliotrope...she seemed to be especially attracted to! It made her very sick. Otherwise...it is an amazing smelling plant!