A heliotrope I planted (in a relatively sunny area) stopped blooming after the second year. Now, instead of purple blossoms, I get these tiny clusters of white and pinkish flowers that then turn to berries. I live just north of Seattle and the plant gets plenty of sun. However, it has been exposed to some relatively hard winters. Any idea what's going on with the plant? Has it gone "native" or something? Thanks for any info!
Hi Doug--in our area, I can't imagine heliotrope surviving the winter. Mine have never made it even in my poorly heated greenhouse! Can you post a pic of this plant that has survived Seattle winters? I suspect something else has taken the heliotrope's place...(berries is definitely not heliotrope as you've noted)...
Thanks much for the response! I don't have a camera (believe it or not!), but I will once I get my new iPhone! ; ) In the meantime, I have a friend coming over this weekend who can bring one along and take a pic. I'm definitely curious about what this thing is, now.
I'd be really interested to see what this plant looks like. Down here, where Heliotrope is native, it will stop blooming in year two if you neglect to prune it before the rainy season. But I've never ever known one to produce berries!
Well, I've finally got that shot of the plant that isn't a heliotrope (I think we've clearly established that much already!). It has a pretty woody, thick stem coming up out of the ground, with several thick branches coming off low of that.
It Definitely Isn't Heliotrope I have a heliotrope that was planted about 4 to 5 years ago, but stopped blooming after the second year. Then, it seemingly started not blooming but going to seed. I know that heliotrope doesn't do the seed thing, so evidently something has stolen its spot in the garden. It comes out with clusters of white/pink flowers (very small) that then turn quickly to green berries. The berries never "ripen" or change after that. Here's a pic:
Re: It Definitely Isn't Heliotrope I think the current placement for this one is under C. rehderianus. Naming of cultivated cotoneasters is subject to occasional re-interpretation, it sometimes being determined that certain ones have been long grown under the wrong species names. This one is a weed in this region, often popping up in gardens and on undeveloped land. A local botanist has noted at least 60 species of cotoneasters coming up on their own in Seattle. Birds spread them, and they apparently do not find our droughty summer conditions a deterrent.
