PROPAGATION. Seeds, division of roots.
SPECIAL USES. Woodland gardens, colonies.
Houstonia Rubiaceae Bluets, Quaker Lady
This is an enchanting wildling with grass-like leaves and flowers less than a half-inch across in the shape of four-pointed stars. It is a very profuse bloomer throughout the spring and early summer.
caerulea—Northeastern favorite with leaves in tufts about an inch high. Flowers are blue or lilac, often fading to white in the sun. Seeds itself willingly.
purpurea—Larger than miniature, and native from Maryland to Georgia. It makes a soft evergreen foliage mat, and in July has purple flowers, several per stem.
serpyllifolia—creeping bluets—The stems stretch out to ten inches or more with little half-inch teardrop leaves. Sky-blue flowers.
CARE. Loamy, acid soil with peat. Moist. Part shade.
PROPAGATION. Division. Some varieties are self-seeding.
SPECIAL USES. Rock and woodland gardens.