Swift (gulliver) Blue

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Scrophulariaceae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Sutera

Species

widespread

Description

An ornamental herbaceous plant with a drooping habit and vigorous growth, appreciated by professionals and garden enthusiasts at all levels of experience for its luxuriant flowering which lends an accent of chromatic brightness to pots, planters and baskets. It withstands heat well when exposed in shade or half-shade and if well watered, while during colder periods it can provide continuous flowering with a little shelter.

Species video

https://youtu.be/U7M5Lgf8Fxg

Variety description

Bacopa Swift Blue is a variety with a larger flower than other bacopa varieties on the market. It is compact, with good heat tolerance, thanks to hybridisation in Israel. The best flowering is in the cooler months, i.e. in spring and autumn down to temperatures close to zero. In cultivation, the start is rather slow in the months with very short days. It must therefore be watered more carefully than other plants in the first two weeks. In enlargement it can be brought into a cold greenhouse down to 5-6°c. Adult plants do not tolerate dry spells, which easily cause all flowers to dry out and lose flowering for 2 weeks.

Curiosities and special features

The generic epithet was given in honour of the physician and botanist J. R. Suter.

Origin and distribution

Native to the wetlands of South Africa, particularly the Cape region, it has spread to Europe with an assortment of varieties that attract wide interest from growers, gardeners and hobbyists due to its vigorous growth and profusion of blooms.

Flower size

The flower individually is small, lending elegance to the inflorescence with a final effect that is dense with colour and luminosity.

Leaf

Leaf blade obovate.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from 120 to 300 days throughout the year, allowing you to add decorative value to your green spaces for a long time.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence raceme or cluster.

Leaf colour

Leaf Solid colour.

Plant height

Theplant height varies from 0.1 to 0.3 m; the variety is also suitable in mixed compositions with other ornamentals.

Lifespan

Perennial plant but often cultivated as an annual depending on the climatic and environmental conditions present.

Where to plant

Used to add a touch of colour to balconies, terraces, outdoor tubs, hanging baskets, planters

Stem

The stem is herbaceous, semi-woody and covered with fine hair; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a tubular corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in small to medium-sized raceme or cluster inflorescences. It flowers all year round, with a flowering period of between 120 and 300 days. It has unmistakable notes and is lightly scented, with a penetrating aroma. It is attractive to bees and bumblebees.

Growth

Growth is vigorous, perfect for achieving visually dense and proportionate results.

Plant habit

It develops a drooping habit, ideal for use in planters, tubs and hanging baskets.

Branching

Its abundant branching makes it very decorative, a characteristic also reinforced by the multitude of flowers with which it forms colourful, dense patches in balcony and terrace decoration.

PH

Optimum substrate acidity conditions consist of pH values between 5.5 and 6.0; pH values above 6.3 can lead to ferric chlorosis.

Sun exposure

For better vegetative growth during the hottest period, prefer half-shade, shade, bright shade exposures.

Ideal climate and temperature

It prefers a cool climate. The ideal temperature is between 12 and 16 °C, although the latter range is quite narrow and typical of spring conditions in temperate climates, the sutera tolerates low winter temperatures with light shelter as well as, if supported by appropriate irrigation, summer heat. The biological temperature range is between 0 .0 and 33 °C.

Use

Appreciated for its abundant flowering and bearing as a plant in

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Variety of medium hardiness, tolerates cold.

Soil

Plant mainly used for pots or tubs for which a spring plant medium containing peat and perlite is recommended.

Difficulty

It is considered a moderately difficult variety to grow, but with proper management care it will provide excellent growth and flowering results.

Growing tips

In order to achieve the best growth and flowering results, the following variety-specific cultivation measures and aspects are recommended:

Prefers cool climate Prefers shady locations in summer to avoid dry spells and high afternoon temperatures

Combinations with other plants

To obtain well-proportioned compositions in pots and planters, in terms of colour and form, it can be used in compositions with different varieties or with other ornamentals such as Begonia semperflorens, Lysimachia congestiflora, Pelargonium x hortorum, Sanvitalia speciosa, Sutera diffusa.

Planting

Utilizzare un substrato idoneo per piante primaverili contenente torba e perlite ponendo cura ad estrarre delicatamente le piantine dal contenitore senza danneggiare le radici, quindi invasarle con apice vegetativo al di fuori della superficie del terriccio, assicurandosi che le zollette siano ben umide, e proseguire bagnando subito dopo, preferibilmente durante le ore mattutine.

Propagation

By seed or apical cutting.

Watering

Bacopa does not tolerate either excess water, which causes root rot and yellowing of the foliage, or dryness, which can lead to premature flower drop and delayed flowering. When transplanting, assist the seedling to encourage proper development of the root system, making sure to keep the substrate at a constant moisture level without over-watering; then allow it to dry out slightly between one watering and the next, avoiding water stress and always checking the moisture level of the soil before doing so.

Fertilising

Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser specifically for ornamental Flower plants to the medium, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to appropriate dosages and frequencies, as indicated on the label of the relevant product purchased.

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity not known for domestic animals; consider specific case.

Edibility for humans

Species ornamental, not edible.

Toxicity for humans

Ingestion toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

Bacopa requires soil that is kept constantly moist through very regular watering, but without over-watering. Excessive watering causes root asphyxia and yellowing of the foliage. It is advisable to add a wetting agent to the potting soil in order to limit large fluctuations in moisture and to re-water when the peat substrate has dried out too much. It does not need much fertilising. Arrangements with red or pink zonal geraniums are very beautiful when above 500 m.