{"product_id":"aristea-ecklonii","title":"Aristea ecklonii (Blue Stars)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAristea ecklonii\u003c\/strong\u003e, known as \u003cstrong\u003eBlue Stars\u003c\/strong\u003e or the \u003cstrong\u003eblue-eyed iris\u003c\/strong\u003e, is a jewel-like member of the iris family from southern Africa. It forms neat clumps of erect, sword-shaped evergreen leaves, and in summer throws up loosely branched sprays studded with short-lived, saucer-shaped flowers of the purest star-bright blue. Few perennials deliver a blue this intense, and each sunny morning brings a fresh flush of blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a sun-lover for mild gardens. Rated \u003cstrong\u003eRHS H3\u003c\/strong\u003e, it is tender across most of the UK and reliably hardy only in the mildest, most sheltered or coastal spots, where it comes through winter down to around 0C. Grown in a pot it is easily moved under cover for the coldest months, and even where it needs protection the evergreen fans hold year-round structure. See our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ehardy exotics, what to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide for how tender exotics behave through the seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun in a warm, sheltered, south-facing spot, tolerating only light shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e free-draining, humus-rich loam on the neutral to acid side, never waterlogged in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a compact 0.5 to 1 m tall and 0.1 to 0.5 m across in 2 to 5 years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e protect over winter except in frost-free coastal gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater freely through the first summer to establish, then keep it just moist in growth and drier in winter, as it resents sitting wet. Its love of sharp drainage and shelter makes it a natural for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal gardens\u003c\/a\u003e, a sunny gravel bed, or the front of an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e. It is equally happy in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ea container on the patio\u003c\/a\u003e, which doubles as the easiest way to move it under glass for winter. The nectar-rich blue flowers are a magnet for bees, earning it a place among our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrowse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range to build a full sub-tropical scheme. Every Aristea we send out is nursery-grown, selected for a healthy crown and strong roots, and packed with care to arrive in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57973063549311,"sku":"ARISECKL9","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-2258362526.jpg?v=1784327715","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/aristea-ecklonii","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}