Guide to Growing Garden Plants - Heliophila Sun Lovers

The Heliophila genus contains hardy annuals and half hardy annuals that reach from 30cm to 90cm in height.

They flower from the end of spring through to the beginning of autumn. Heliophila can carry flowers of pink, blue, white or yellow; there are many varieties that have two coloured flowers.

Some common names for Heliophila include Cape Stock and Sun Lovers.

Heliophila scoparia by Peter Baker; creative commons.

Heliophila photograph by Peter Baker; creative commons.

Quick Heliophila Growing Guide and Facts

Common Names: Cape Stock, False Blue Flax, Wild Flax, Sun Lovers.
Life Cycle: Half hardy perennial commonly grown as a half hardy annual by gardeners.
Height: 8 to 30 inches (20 to 75 cm).
Native: Southern Africa.
Flowers: Spring, summer and autumn.
Flower Details: Violet, blue, pink, yellow, white.
Foliage: Thin stemmed.
Sow Outside: Cover seed. Late autumn; then sow every two or three weeks from just before the last frost until early summer. Spacing 6 to 30 inches dependent upon species (15 to 75 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: two to three weeks. Temperature 61°F (16°C). Six or seven weeks before expected last frost. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Provide support. Regular watering.

How to grow Sun Lovers (Heliophila)

It is best to just cover the seeds of Heliophila once sown. they should be plant from the beginning of spring (before the last frost) and sowing continues for a few weeks to supply successive blooms. Sun lovers should be grown in a sunny part of the garden that has good drainage, the soil type is not too important.

If you first plan to grow Sun lovers indoors as seedlings, then they should be started about 8 weeks before planning to put outside. It takes from two to three weeks to germinate at a temperature of 18 degrees centigrade. The plants should be put out following the last frost of the spring; you may like to make successive plantings to maintain a continuous bloom.

Caring for Sunlovers and other Heliophila

Once you have seedlings they should be spaced at between 15 and 90cm depending upon the size of the variety; the bigger varieties may require some support.