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Butterfly Pea |
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Blue Pea Vine |
Plant Habit: | Herb/Forb Vine |
Life cycle: | Perennial |
Sun Requirements: | Full Sun to Partial Shade Partial or Dappled Shade |
Water Preferences: | Mesic |
Soil pH Preferences: | Neutral (6.6 – 7.3) |
Minimum cold hardiness: | Zone 9b -3.9 °C (25 °F) to -1.1 °C (30 °F) |
Plant Height: | 6 to10 feet |
Plant Spread: | 2 to 3 feet |
Leaves: | Deciduous |
Fruiting Time: | Late summer or early fall Fall |
Flowers: | Showy |
Flower Color: | Blue Mauve White Other: Vivid Blue |
Bloom Size: | 1"-2" |
Flower Time: | Late spring or early summer Summer Late summer or early fall Fall |
Underground structures: | Taproot |
Suitable Locations: | Houseplant Espalier |
Dynamic Accumulator: | Nitrogen fixer P (Phosphorus) K (Potassium) |
Wildlife Attractant: | Bees Butterflies |
Resistances: | Humidity tolerant Drought tolerant |
Toxicity: | Other: Seeds act as a strong purgative (laxative). |
Propagation: Seeds: | Self fertile Scarify seeds Days to germinate: 4 to 6 weeks Start indoors |
Propagation: Other methods: | Cuttings: Stem |
Containers: | Suitable in 1 gallon Suitable in 3 gallon or larger Suitable for hanging baskets Needs excellent drainage in pots |
Miscellaneous: | Tolerates poor soil |
Today we open Vines and Climbers week by giving a list of the top 25 vines in our database, judged by how many contributions have been made to the various plant entries. Enjoy the list!
(Full article • 15 comments)
(22)
Posted by mellielong (Lutz, Florida - Zone 9b) on Apr 18, 2015 5:52 PM I found this plant at Lowe's a few years ago and it was the only one left. Naturally, I had to buy it. Not only because it was beautiful, but because I knew it would serve as a host plant for the Long-Tailed Skipper butterfly. And sure enough, they come and lay their eggs year after year and roll the leaves to make shelters. The caterpillars are known as "bean leaf rollers" because of their leaf rolling habit and because they tend to eat most things in the bean family (like green beans) so this is a good alternative to put the caterpillars on if you don't want them in your vegetable garden. They never seem to do much damage to the plant as I think the lizards have discovered their method of "hiding". The plant loses its leaves in the winter but comes back each spring. This year I started saving seeds just in case we have a very hard freeze and I also cover the plant with blankets. Mostly, I protect it so it will come back sooner and be ready to feed my caterpillars. I have this one planted right in front of the house in full Florida sun with poor Florida soil. It keeps coming back so I guess it likes where it is. [ Reply to this comment | |
Posted by Boopaints (Phoenix, AZ 85022) on Oct 21, 2011 10:29 AM This beautiful plant is now on my dream garden list! [ 2 replies | |
Posted by plantladylin (Sebastian, Florida - Zone 10a) on Nov 30, 2012 7:25 PM I received seeds for this plant in a trade a few years ago and it has become one of my favorite plants! It produces beautiful dark blue flowers from spring through fall and although I've not seen any butterflies attracted to it, the flowers sure do attract attention from people! Someone is always asking "What is that plant with the lovely blue flowers?" Our local Home Depot had this plant for sale in their garden center in early summer this year, the first time I've seen it for sale here locally. There is a white flowering variety also but the blue just grabs my attention! [ Reply to this comment | |
lovesblooms | On May 6, 2015 | Seeds germinated |
lovesblooms | On April 26, 2015 | Seeds sown blue |
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