Plant of the Month: July 2014
Free-blooming ‘Blue My Mind’ on the Arboretum grounds. Photos courtesy of the Dallas Arboretum.
by Jenny Wegley
Evolvulus hybrid ‘Blue My Mind’
AT A GLANCE
Latin name: Evolvulus hybrid ‘Blue My Mind’
Common name: Dwarf morning glory
Flowers: Nickel-sized flowers
Mature size: 6”-12” tall by 12”-24” wide
Hardiness: Summer annual
Soil: Well drained
Exposure: Full sun to part sun
Water usage: Medium
Sources: Local nurseries or mail order
A single blossom of ‘Blue My Mind’.
One of my favorite colors in the garden is blue, particularly in the summer. For some reason, blue just makes it feel cooler when you’re standing in your own sweat on a July or August day. With that said, we have a few choices for blue inspiration in our gardens with Salvia farinacea, S. guaranitica cultivars, or even the tropical-feeling plumbago. But these selections leave something lacking for us gardeners — the spilling or trailing effect that we sometimes need to paint our landscapes, especially in a blue tone!
Wait no longer; our dilemma has been resolved. Proven Winners’ Evolvulus ‘Blue My Mind’ has blown my mind! There are cultivars of Evolvulus that have been in the trade for many, many years, but nothing can compete with ‘Blue My Mind’. Electric neon blue flowers cover this creeping plant all summer long. Use it in any application where a trailing or spreading effect is needed. It looks great as the spiller in a container, or plant it in hanging baskets and let it cascade 24 inches!
‘Blue My Mind’ colors the topiary peacock tails blue in the Arboretum’s current displays.
If you come to visit the Dallas Arboretum, you will see ‘Blue My Mind’ as the feathers on our seasonal topiary display of 13-foot peacocks. The foliage is a silver hue that adds to the tint of blue in the flower to give even greater color.
Another view of the Arboretum’s peacock plantings.
There are some plants that make you look like a world-class gardener in the southern heat. Evolvulus ‘Blue My Mind’ does just that. Plant in full sun to part sun, give it moderate watering, and don’t forget to fertilize. You can find it at your favorite local nursery or on-line.
Have fun and garden strong! Please Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.