Houstonia caerulea (Bluets)

Dainty and wonderful, Houstonia caerulea (Bluets) is a small, delicate perennial wildflower forming a compact rosette of spatula-shaped leaves. Blooming for about 3 weeks from mid-spring to mid-summer, tiny pale blue or white flowers adorned with yellow centers create a striking display when they flower in lawns, fields, roadsides, and other habitats. Borne atop unbranched stems, they attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This wildflower has shallow fibrous roots and slender rhizomes, forming charming tufts of flowering plants. In the wild, Houstonia caerulea thrives among mosses in light shade under tall oak trees. Easy to grow, Bluets make an attractive addition to rock gardens and can be planted on lawns or path edges. They are also a great addition to wildflower gardens, coastal gardens, woodland gardens, or cottage gardens.

• Grows up to 3-6 in. tall and wide (7-15 cm).
• Thrives in full sun to part shade in sandy or thin rocky, acidic, moist to dry-mesic, well-drained soils. Drought and salt tolerant.
• Great for rock gardens, coastal gardens, cottage gardens or prairies, and meadows.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Deer and rabbit resistant.
• Propagate by seeds or root division. Plant seeds outside as soon as ripe or store, stratify and sow in the spring. These seedlings will germinate the first year and flower the second.
• Native to eastern and central North America.