Azure bluet or Quaker ladies
Houstonia caerulea

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

Houstonia caerulea is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.1

Where it is found

Fields and open woods on moist acidic soils in shady areas, growing especially well among grasses.

Native to eastern Canada (Ontario to Newfoundland) and the eastern United States (Maine to Wisconsin, south to Florida and Louisiana, with scattered populations in Oklahoma).

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

Canada, USA.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Raw; Leaves. Flowers in salads. No further information found.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Groundcover. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Uses: Alpine & Rock gardens, Containers, Edging, Waterside, Wild Flower, Woodland.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Ground Cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

A low creeping mat of tiny green leaves. Prefers evenly moist soil and acidic conditions. Full Sun or Partial Shade. Soil Type: Normal to Clay. Soil pH: Neutral to Acid.

Propagating it: Seed or division. Divide the rootball. Seed - Direct sow as soon as the ground can be worked in spring. Seed Collecting: Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-8

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Azure bluet, Quaker ladies, little bluet

Synonyms

Anotis coerulea (L.) G.Don. Anotis gentianoides (Endl.) Walp. Hedyotis brachiata Miq. ex Hook.f. Hedyotis caerulea (L.) Hook. Hedyotis caerulea f. albiflora (Millsp.) Fosberg. Hedyotis caerulea f. benkei Fosberg. Hedyotis caerulea var. faxonorum (Pease & A.H.Moore) Fosberg. Hedyotis gentianoides Endl. H. caerulea f. albiflora Millsp. H. caerulea f. caerulea. H. caerulea var. caerulea. H. caerulea var. elatior (Michx.) Pursh. H. caerulea var. faxonorum Pease & A.H.Moore. H. caerulea var. piersii Barbour. H. caerulea var. toxonorum Stevens. H. faxonorum (Pease & A.H.Moore) Fernald. H. grandiflora Raf. H. linnaei Michx. H. linnaei var. elatior Michx. Oldenlandia caerulea (L.) A.Gray. Poiretia erecta J.F.Gmel.