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Clitoria ternatea

 
Clitoria ternatea

Common name butterfly pea; blue pea
Family fabaceae
Life cycle tender perennial (Z10-11)
Flowers blue
Size 4-6'
Light sun-part shade
Cultural notes ordinary garden soil
From seed germinate at room temperature
detailed seed-starting info below

Tropical vine, probably not reliably hardy here in Houston, even though I purchased it at a local nursery. I'll be watching for regrowth from the roots after the inevitable light freeze kills it back. Striking blue flowers contrast nicely with bright green leaves. Vigorous grower, quickly covering fences and arbors. I gave it up as lost when I didn't see regrowth by mid-spring after the first (mild) winter, then was surprised to see a deep-blue flower in our grapevine in late October. Sure enough, it survived, but was apparently set back enough that it needed all of the warm season to clamber back and bloom. Perhaps a little more mulching will help its vigorous return next spring...

We're re-establishing this plant this year (it used to grow in our garden, but slipped away)

About my plant portraits
PlantLinks to other web pages about Clitoria ternatea


Seed-starting details for this plant

  1. Seed from '05 trade. Baggy 70F (50%G, 7-13d). Moving to warmer conditions did not increase germination
  2. Seed from '21 trade. Sandpapered, baggy 70F (90%G, 8-11d)


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