Purple Chinese Houses, Harlequin Blue-eyed Mary, Chinese Houses, Innocence
Noted for its towers of flower clusters, Collinsia heterophylla (Purple Chinese Houses) is a charming annual wildflower boasting perfect floral whorls of decreasing diameter as they move up the stem, giving the plant a certain resemblance to a Chinese pagoda. Blooming from mid-spring to mid-summer, the flowers have a lilac or white upper lip and a rose-purple or violet lower lip. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Bright-green, lance-shaped leaves clasp the stem. The blossoms give way to dry capsules, which release about 20 seeds. This plant spreads by reseeding itself and often forms permanent colonies. Perfect for lightly shaded areas, Purple Chinese Houses provide a dainty effect in front of borders, scattered under deciduous trees, or as bulb cover. The California native is also recommended as a plant to attract native pollinators. Purple Chinese houses may serve as a host for the spring azure and checkerspot butterflies.
| Hardiness |
2 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Common names | Chinese Houses, Innocence |
| Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early) |
| Height |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 18" (50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | California, Illinois, Kentucky, Midwest, Southeast, United States |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
| Hardiness |
2 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Common names | Chinese Houses, Innocence |
| Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early) |
| Height |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 18" (50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | California, Illinois, Kentucky, Midwest, Southeast, United States |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
How many Collinsia heterophylla (Purple Chinese Houses) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Collinsia heterophylla (Purple Chinese Houses) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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