Download planting and growing guide

Frequently
Asked Questions
CAN I GROW THESE AS A TREE FORM STANDARD?
Yes. A standard is a woody plant trained to a long, single
stem. The stem is crowned with a round head of foliage and
flowers. This arrangement is beautiful but also unnatural,
requiring a bit of effort on the part of the gardener to prevent
gravity and the unrepressed inclinations of the plant from
undoing the horticulturist’s handiwork. To keep your standard
standing, put it out of reach of strong winds and support it
with a stake that has a diameter at least as large as the stem’s
and long enough that when plunged into the pot or the
ground it just reaches inside the head. Fasten the standard
to the stake at several points with garden twine or green
plastic tie tape looped in a figure-eight around stem and
stake. Check the ties periodically during the growing season
and loosen them if they constrict the outward growth of the
stem. Most standards require special care to overwinter. In
cold winter climates, bring standards indoors before frost and
place them in an east- or west-facing window in a cool room.
Water just enough to keep plants from drying out completely,
and do not fertilize while plants are in this not-quitedormant period. Set back outdoors in spring when nighttime
temperatures remain consistently above 50°F.
CAN THEY GROW INSIDE YEAR ROUND?
Not year round. These prefer to be placed outside in summer
when temperatures rise above 50F and like full to partial sun.
IS PRUNING NECESSARY?
It is recommended. The best time to prune though is late
autumn or early winter after blooming and before active
growth period. Maintain the shape of the head with selective
pinching of the new shoots (overzealous pinching will prevent
the formation of flower buds). Pinch each shoot between
thumb and forefinger or cut with pruning shears. Do not shear
the plant as though it were a hedge. Pruning need not occur
but does encourage branching. New growth will flower.
Thank you for your order!
Take your gardening experience to new heights by
visiting Roberta’s Unique Gardens. Our goal is to
enhance your gardening enjoyment by providing you
with top quality, leading edge perennials and annuals
that are suitable for your garden and home with the
best service imaginable.
Working with growers and breeders from all over the
world, Roberta’s is able to bring you hard-to-find plants
and new species that will be sweethearts for years to
come.
Thank you for bringing us into your home,
Eric, Kevin, and Koort Wallien
Vanilla Scented Heliotrope
(Heliotropium arborescens)
First Things First...
Remove plastic bag and/or sleeve from around potted
plant(s). Discard any packing material clinging to the leaves
or soil. Pull away any yellow or brown leaves that may have
occurred during transit. If you can not plant it into garden or
larger pot within a few days, make sure it stays well watered.
When ready to plant, do the job as early in the day as
possible to avoid extreme soil temperatures that prevent
proper water uptake from the roots. Water them in well and
whisper a few words of wisdom.
planting and growing guide
Roberta’s is a 4th generation family owned business and
has been one of the leading commercial exhibitors at
flower and garden shows for over 50 years in the U.S.
and abroad. We search the globe to find easy-to-grow
plants that are unique in themselves or their variety
making them nearly impossible to find elsewhere. Our
passion and commitment continually asks the question,
“What makes a better, unsurpassed, and more beautiful
flower to behold?”
PLANT LEAVES ARE YELLOWING WITH WHITE STUFF?
First make sure you have good drainage. In addition look for
mealybugs generally found on the stems and underside of
leaves. These are scale insects and they are a common insect
pest indoors. Other insects that produce small white “fuzz”
are spider mites (small white thread-like webs.) Prevention
is the rule. Mix one half teaspoon of standard liquid dish
soap in quart spray bottle of water, shake, and mist the plant
profusely bimonthly.
When your plant arrives from Roberta’s, remove from the
shipping box immediately.
Roberta’s Gardens
1-800-428-9726
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm EST
Thank you
for bringing us into your home
www.robertasinc.com
quick reference
planting guide
light/sun exposure:
Full to Partial
usda
hardiness zones:
9-11
planting distance:
12-15 inches
mature height/spread:
12-20 inches
12-15 inches
bloom time:
Late Spring - Autumn
planting instructions:
Remove plastic bag and sleeve from
around potted plant(s). Discard any
packing material clinging to the leaves or
soil. Transplant into a larger 8 to 10 inch
container with adequate drainage holes.
(soil preparation, depth,
which end is up, etc.)
Planting Guide
1
step
Remove plastic bag and sleeve from around potted
plant(s). Discard any packing material clinging to the
leaves or soil. Pull away any yellow or brown leaves
that may have occurred during transit. If you can not
plant it into garden or larger pot within a few days,
make sure it stays well watered.
2
Transplant into a larger 8 to 10 inch container with
adequate drainage holes. Water again. If you live
where it stays above freezing they may be planted in
the garden. Water in well.
3
You should place plants outside as long as evening
temperatures stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Plants prefer full sun though one half day is sufficient.
4
These plants respond to regular summer bimonthly
fertilizing with a balanced houseplant food that
promotes growth and flowering.
step
step
step
Continuing Care
PLANT PREPARATION
Remove plastic bag and sleeve from around potted plant(s).
Discard any packing material clinging to the leaves or soil. Pull
away any yellow or brown leaves that may have occurred during
transit. If you can not plant it into garden or larger pot within a
few days, make sure it stays well watered.
POTTED PLANTS
Repot the plants into larger 8 to 10 inch pots separately. You
can transplant gradually one pot size per year up to 15 inches in
diameter.
SOIL
They like bagged potting mixes for houseplants that will drain
well. Most garden centers carry various brand names with perlite,
vermiculite, soil and sand.
GARDEN PREPARATION
If you live where it rarely dips below freezing, they may be
planted directly into the garden. If your soil is clayish amend it with
a standard garden soil for adequate drainage.
PLANTING SPACING
If planting into the garden space them 12 to 15 inches apart. If
planting into a container allow for adequate air ventilation on deck
or patio.
PLANT HEIGHT AND WIDTH
These will grow up to maximum 12 to 20 inches tall and about 12
to 15 inches wide.
WATER
Water the plants thoroughly letting the excess water drain
through the bottom of the pot. Be sure to keep excess water out
of any tray underneath pot. Keep moist, during the spring and
summer repeating twice a week all summer long. Water less in
winter allowing the soil to dry a little.
FERTILIZER
To promote more flowers use a well balanced fertilizer like
Roberta’s Flower Magic Plant Food (M7503) twice a month April
through October.
LIGHTING
Full sun is best outside in summer. Otherwise a half a day of sun is
sufficient. In the winter inside the home, bright light is sufficient.
BLOOMING
In most cases, they will bloom the first season in late summer.
However in they will bloom in the late spring through late autumn
thereafter.
TEMPERATURE ZONE 9 to 11
In pots, these are hardy down to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit
without damaging the plant. If you live where it rarely dips below
freezing, they may remain outside year round.
WINTER SEASON
In colder winter zones, place in a bright-lighted room or sunny
window area and reduce watering.
PRUNING
Pruning is recommended. The best time to prune though is late
autumn or early winter after blooming and before active growth
period. Maintain the shape of the head with selective pinching of
the new shoots (overzealous pinching will prevent the formation of
flower buds). Pinch each shoot between thumb and forefinger or
cut with pruning shears. Do not shear the plant as though it were
a hedge. Pruning need not occur but does encourage branching.
New growth will flower.
Additional Reference
Heliotrope
Shipped
As Shown
Heliotrope
1 Year Old
Marine Purple Heliotrope
in Garden
Two Heliotrope
in Window Box
CAUTION: Not all plant material is edible. Though most plants are
harmless, some contain toxic substances which can cause headaches,
nausea, dizziness, or other discomforts. As a general rule, only known
food products should be eaten. In case of ingestion on any other plant or
flower, please contact your local poison center at once and advise them of
the plant ingested. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
10-2010-R0