Guide to growing garden plants - Oxypetalum Southern Star

Oxypetalum are a genus of climbing plants that may reach about 90cm in height.

Although they are half hardy perennials Oxypetalum are often grown as half hardy annuals in the garden.

They carry deep green foliage and bloom in the summer through to autumn with pale blue stellar flowers.

Some common names for Oxypetalum include Southern Star and Star of the Argentine.

How to grow Southern Star

The seeds of Southern star and other Oxypetalum should be sown at a depth of 6mm following the last frost of spring. Southern Star likes to grow in a sunny part of the garden that has good drainage. Ideally the soil should be rich and loamy, but this is not essential.

You can start to grow Southern Star indoors first; do this about six weeks in advance. The seeds will take about two weeks to germinate at 21 degrees Centigrade. Once growing transplant the young Southern Star seedlings outdoors in mid spring after the last chance of a frost. They should be spaced from 15 to 20cm apart.

Caring for Southern star and other Oxypetalum plants in the garden

It is easy to look after Southern Star and other Oxypetalum species; the young plants should be pinched back to encourage branching. They are a climbing plant so supply Oxypetalum with a support to grow upon. If you require more plants then they can be propagated by taking cuttings in the spring time.