Isotoma axillaris 'Fairy Carpet' (Blue star creeper 'Fairy Carpet')

Botanical name

Isotoma axillaris 'Fairy Carpet'

Other names

Blue star creeper 'Fairy Carpet', Laurentia 'Fairy Carpet', Solenopsis axillaris 'Fairy Carpet'

Genus

Isotoma Isotoma

Variety or Cultivar

'Fairy Carpet' _ 'Fairy Carpet' is a tender, mat-forming, woody-based, evergreen perennial, often grown as an annual, with small, elliptic, slightly toothed, mid- to bright green leaves and fragrant, star-shaped, light blue flowers from late spring into autumn.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Mat Forming

Toxicity

Contact with sap may irritate skin.

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Colour

Flower

Blue in Spring; Blue in Summer; Blue in Autumn

Foliage

Green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids

General care

Pruning

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering.

Propagation methods

Seed, Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Isotoma axillaris 'Fairy Carpet' (Blue star creeper 'Fairy Carpet') will reach a height of 0.1m and a spread of 0.3m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Garden edging, Edging, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Between paving stones, Beds and borders, Greenhouse, Ground Cover, Lawn

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. In frost-prone areas, plant out after last frost. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. Water moderately & feed monthly; sparingly in winter.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Isotoma axillaris 'Fairy Carpet' (Blue star creeper 'Fairy Carpet')

Common pest name

Necrotic spot

Scientific pest name

Impatiens necrotic spot virus

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Present (Widespread)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Pest of mainly ornamentals and vegetables; present in the UK; and covered by the EU listing of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. To be kept under consideration in light of a review of the EU listing.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/