Sollya heterophylla Ultra Blue

The Sollya heterophylla 'Ultra Blue', derived from a delightful small evergreen Australian climber, is an interesting selection for its larger and more intense blue flowers, as well as its more ramified habit. As a result, the plant forms a climbing bush with a beautiful density that is adorned throughout the summer with delightful intense blue campanulas. Its cultivation in open ground should be reserved for milder climates: it will send its voluble stems through neighbouring plants, crawl on the ground or gracefully round itself above walls. Easy to grow in any well-drained soil, it will add an exotic touch to any support available, in the garden or on the terrace.

The Sollya heterophylla 'Ultra Blue' is a flexible plant with woody base and herbaceous growth belonging to the pittosporaceae family, just like the Pittosporum to which it bears no resemblance at all. Its parent is native to Western Australia, Tasmania, and the state of Victoria, located in southeastern Australia, and has occasionally naturalised itself on the Côte d'Azur, as it easily self-seeds. It will withstand short periods of frost, down to -5 °C. A fast-growing plant, this climbing, bushy or spreading plant, produces voluble stems that can reach 1.50m (5ft) to 2m (7ft) in our climate, with a spread of 1m (3ft). On its slender stems develops winter evergreen foliage, of medium green colour, shiny, with a light and vivid green underside. Its leaves, 4 to 5 cm (2in) long, are entire, narrow, ovate or lanceolate in shape, with a pointed tip. The flowering of Sollya 'Ultra Blue' takes place from June to September, or from July to October depending on the climate. It takes the form of campanulate flowers, 2 to 3 cm (1in) long, composed of 5 petals of ultramarine blue colour. They are gathered in somewhat loose clusters, called cymes, in groups of 4 to 8 and are followed by the formation of ripe blue berries, edible, 2 to 3 cm (1in) long. The seeds germinate easily in light soil.

The Sollya heterophylla 'Ultra Blue' is an original, exotic plant, but undemanding and easy to grow in mild climates or by the sea. In the garden, it will be appreciated for its exuberance, graceful vegetation, beautiful foliage, and long-lasting flowering that blends with the foliage and flowers of its neighbors. It adapts to all soils that are not too dry and requires very little maintenance, only fearing severe frosts. In open ground, when not guided on a support, it can form a beautiful bushy mass above a wall or near the terrace. The 'Ultra Blue' cultivar will naturally blend with the typical species whose small bells are a celestial blue, or with the 'Alba' form, with pure white flowers. It can be associated with climbing asarinas, with Egyptian bean (Dolichos, Lablab purpurea), with perennial and annual sweet peas, or with morning glories, all these plants will quickly decorate a small trellis or an arch. It also grows very well in a large pot, which can be stored in the veranda or greenhouse during winter.