Common Name: Marsh Leather-Flower, Blue Jasmine

Part shade; wet to medium moisture level; will grow in sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam or clay soils; prefers slightly acid pH.

6-10 feet height by 3-6 feet spread; blooms in June and may rebloom in early fall; blue-purple, bell-shaped flowers 1-2 inches long; fruit is a distinctive seed head with numerous spiky tails.

Growth Rate:  ?

Maintenance:  No serious disease or insect problems but is susceptible to wilt which can be fatal.   Roots should be kept cool, shaded and uniformly moist.

Propagation:  Seed germination code C (60-180) at 33-40 degrees F.   Can be propagated by seed, softwood cuttings in summer, and root cuttings.

Native Region:  West Tennessee

Flowers are mildly fragrant.  Native to floodplain forests, swamps and marshes.  Normally climbs or trails.  Can be trained to climb a wall, trellis, arbor or other support structure.  Without support, it can be used to sprawl over low structures like steps or low walls.  May die back to the ground in harsh winters and then comes back in spring.  Attracts birds and butterflies.