Blue for your Florida-Friendly Landscape

Blue is an important color in the landscape that is not provided by many flowers in our plant palette.  One plant that has been around for decades and is still popular supplies blue flowers in abundance – the genus Evolvulus or Brazilian dwarf morning-glory.  Other than the flowers resembling miniature morning glories, this plant does not look like a morning glory at all and is not a vine but is a key groundcover.  You may know it as ‘Blue Daze’ and ‘Blue My Mind®’.

Evolvulus is a plant native to Brazil which has been a familiar perennial for as long as I can remember – both as an annual up north, and a perennial here.  This perennial develops into a low mound of no more than eighteen-inches tall and about two-feet wide.  The oval leaves are a bit fuzzy giving the plant a gray-green appearance.  The numerous sky-blue flowers close in the evening and on cloudy days, and new replacements come daily.   Plant Evolvulus in mass plantings eighteen to twenty-four inches apart in a full-sun, well-drained site.  They also do extremely well in hanging baskets, raised beds, or containers.  Consider this perennial for sites where they will cascade down a wall and their sprawling nature can used for its greatest impact.  Known for their heat, salt, and drought-tolerance, Evolvulus , must be planted on well-drained soil to avoid fungal root rots.  Proper spacing will also ensure good air circulation and avoid disease issues.

The Evolvulus cultivar ‘Blue Daze’ is a standard on the market with tried-and-true attributes.  A newer improved cultivar called ‘Blue My Mind®’ is notable for its one-inch sky-blue flowers and is now locally available at many garden centers. Both cultivars are not invasive and recommended for use in your Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ garden.

Whether ‘Blue Daze’ or ‘Blue My Mind®’, these Evolvulus are ideal for long-lasting color and memorable performance in your landscape – check them out at your local garden center or nursery today!   For more information on all types of perennials best for area, or to ask a question, you can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer.  Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension – Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook @CharlotteCountyExtension and follow us on Instagram @ifascharco

Resources:
Gilman, E. F. & Meerow , A. (1999) Evolvulus glomeratus.  The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design (2022) The University of Florida Extension Services
UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas. (2023)
N.C. Cooperative Extension Evolvulus glomeratus. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/evolvulus-glomeratus/.
Russel, A. (2020) Blue Daze named Texas Superstar.  Texas A&M University System.
Bachman, G. R. (2023) ‘Blue My Mind®’ Evolvulus is Miss. Medallion winner. Mississippi State University Extension Service.
Kirk-Ballard,  H. Evolvulus named summer 2023 Louisiana Super Plant selection.  LSU AgCenter.
Missouri Botanical Garden(2023) Evolvulus glomeratus. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=279302.