1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Trachymene coerulea, blue lace flower, is an upright annual from Western Australia, two to two and a half feet tall on slender branching stems. Rounded umbels of tiny lavender-blue flowers, two to three inches across, sit above finely divided leaves from midsummer until the first frost. It is still widely sold as Didiscus caeruleus.
Blue is scarce among annuals and rarer still in this soft, airy form, which is why it holds its place as a cut flower. It dislikes root disturbance, so sow it where it is to flower or raise it in modules. Steady moisture while young decides how well it flowers; drought at that stage stunts it for the season.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Annual
Height
24 inches
Width
12 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
9, 10
Water
Medium
Humidity
Average
Lifespan
Annual
Native To
Western Australia
Toxicity
No significant toxicity reported
Planting
How to Grow
- Sow in place after the last frost, or raise in modules.
- Choose full sun, with afternoon shade in hot climates.
- Use moist, fertile, well-drained soil at pH 6.0-7.0.
- Thin or space plants nine to twelve inches apart.
- Keep young plants evenly watered until established.
- Support the stems in exposed positions.
Pro Tip
Sow direct or use modules; it resents root disturbance and a checked seedling never quite catches up.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Sow where it is to flower 🌱
- Water young plants steadily 💧
- Cut stems freely for the vase 💐
- Give it afternoon shade in hot summers ⛅
Don't
- Transplant it once it is growing away ❌
- Let seedlings dry out ❌
- Expect it to survive a frost ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Blue Lace Flower questions
What zones can Blue Lace Flower grow in?
Blue Lace Flower is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Blue Lace Flower deer resistant?
Yes — Blue Lace Flower is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Blue Lace Flower bloom?
Blue Lace Flower typically blooms in midsummer to first frost through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Blue Lace Flower need full sun?
Blue Lace Flower does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Blue Lace Flower with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.