Isotoma axillaris

RHS Plant Profile

blue star creeper

Synonyms

Solenopsis axillaris
Laurentia axillaris

Annual Biennial Conservatory Greenhouse

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An evergreen, tender perennial often grown as an annual, to 40cm tall and wide, with lobed leaves. The blue, star-shaped flowers are up to 3cm in diameter and borne from late spring into summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Campanulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Isotoma can be annuals or perennials, with pinnately lobed leaves and long-tubed, salver-shaped flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Australia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist, free-draining soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed or from softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead and trim as required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free