Very refined semi-deciduous perennial plant, with a prostrate, pulvinated and easy-growing habit, native to South America: in a short time it reaches its maximum size, that is, it rises just over 30 cm and extends even 1 m in width. Densely branched already from the base, it has numerous pubescent stems with a horizontal course and various orientation, also able to root to the ground: the leaves, which generously cover them, are alternate and oblong-lanceolate, with entire margins and obtuse apex, grey in color -green due to a fine tomentum that covers them. From late spring to early autumn the plant produces showy and dense globose axillary and apical inflorescences, composed of numerous five-lobed flowers with a white center and corolla between blue and intense blue: they last only one day, but they occur abundantly, and do not hatch on cloudy days. The flowers are followed by spherical capsules containing a maximum of 4 seeds. It requires a sunny position or only partial shade and prefers rich, fertile and humid soils, however perfectly drained. It bears the presence of brackish winds in coastal gardens, while it does not adapt well to drought periods and indeed constant summer wetting are to be preferred. It does not like intense and protracted cold: in regions with severe winters it is preferable to choose a sheltered corner, or give the plant a shelter in a cool and bright environment or even treat it as a seasonal one. At the vegetative restart in spring it may be advantageous to shorten the various branches to a third to allow a thicker growth and a more generous flowering. It is perfect on terraces and balconies in medium-sized containers and pots; then in the open ground it is truly eclectic, because it can enrich our rock, cover an escarpment, fall off the edge of a wall or finally, arranged in sequence, create an elegant border.
Based on their properties and traits, we have selected the plants that pair best with your choice.