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shrub

Woolly Bluecurls

Trichostema lanatum

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Woolly Bluecurls (Trichostema lanatum) at Lakeshore Garden Centres

Woolly Bluecurls flowers

Woolly Bluecurls flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Woolly Bluecurls (Trichostema lanatum) at Lakeshore Garden Centres

Woolly Bluecurls flowers

Woolly Bluecurls flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  5 feet

Spread:  5 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  8b

Description:

A many branched evergreen shrub, featuring fragrant, rosemary-like leaves and distinctive spikes of lavender-blue blooms with gracefully curved stamens from late spring through summer; an outstanding addition to home landscapes

Ornamental Features

Woolly Bluecurls features showy spikes of fragrant royal blue orchid-like flowers with lavender overtones and rose calyces rising above the foliage from mid spring to early fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage. The fragrant narrow leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Woolly Bluecurls is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. Trim off the flower heads after they fade and die to encourage more blooms late into the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Self-Seeding

Woolly Bluecurls is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Hedges/Screening
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Woolly Bluecurls will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by cuttings.

Woolly Bluecurls makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.

This plant is not reliably hardy in our region, and certain restrictions may apply; contact the store for more information.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Screening  Rock  Garden  Naturalizing  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features