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Aristea ecklonii or Blue Stars / Seeds

(Code: KI_012_01)
Packet :
£ 1.89
(14 Item(s) In Stock)
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Aristea ecklonii or Blue Stars / Seeds

Blue Stars are striking perennial plants from the Iris family, with clumps of strap-like leaves and spikes of attractive blue flowers in July and August.  The flowers are held on strong stems up to 1m tall sitting above a base of leaves about 50cm tall.  These are good border plants for milder gardens and good pot plants.  Pollinators are attracted to the open single flowers.


Blue Stars are half-hardy plants originating from mountainous areas on the eastern side of Southern Africa, needing protection from hard frosts.  They grow well in milder inner city gardens in the UK and outside in warmer southern and western gardens.  They grow nicely outside in our damp Cornish garden.  In colder gardens lift these evergreen plants in autumn and keep them in a greenhouse over winter.


Pack of 50 seeds.  Sow the seeds anytime, typically winter or early spring, to allow for a full season of growth.  Plants mature in 2-3 years when flowering starts.  Sowing instructions and a colour photo are printed on the packet.


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Hardiness Half-hardy evergreen perennial (forms rhizomes) (RHS Hardiness H2/3)
Flowers July and August, sometimes a second flush in autumn
Height 50 - 100cm
Spread 30 - 50cm
Conditions  Sun to part shade, and humus-rich well drained soil, with medium water,  protected from hard frost.
Sow

Sow anytime, typically winter and spring in well drained seed compost.  Cover lightly with soil. Germination takes 2-4 months at a warm 20-25°C.  Transplant seedlings into pots when they are big enough to handle.  Protect against hard frosts in winter.  Flowering starts in the second or third season.  

Grow

These are evergreen plants and need little care other than removing untidy leaves and cutting back flower stalks once they have died down.   In colder areas, move the plants into pots in autumn and keep in a greenhouse over winter.  Mature clumps can be divided in autumn.