Is Red Porterweed a perennial?
In zone 8B we find that the larger growing Porterweeds, like Lavender, Coral, and Purple, may return from the roots in late spring if well mulched. In zone 10 it is likely to be a reliable perennial if not evergreen. Porterweed is known to reseed particularly in mild winter climates.
How do you take care of red Porterweed?
Soil & Moisture: Average moist, well-drained soil. Flowering Period: Spring-frost or year round in warm, frost free conditions. Fertilizing: Spring-frost or year round in warm, frost free conditions. Pruning: Not needed except to remove spent flower stems though it’s not required, pinch to improve branching.
Is Porterweed invasive?
A prolific bloomer, nettle-leaf porterweed is popular in cultivation and is now naturalized in tropical regions throughout the world, including Africa, Melanesia and Australia. In Florida, it is listed by the Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council as a category II invasive species for the southern portion of the state.
What does Porterweed look like?
Plant Description: Porterweed is an annual in North Florida, but may overwinter if protected from the cold. Small blue or pink flowers appear in numbers on long spikes at the end of the stems, and are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Plants vary in size and growth habit depending on the species.
Will Porterweed come back after a freeze?
It’s considered evergreen though it can lose leaves in a harsh winter (but generally comes back in spring).
Can Porterweed propagate?
While considered as a short lived perennial, blue porterweed is will self seed or can be propagated by stem cuttings. Although the flowers on blue porterweed are small and each flower only opens for one day, it attracts a large number of butterflies.
What is porterweed good for?
We don’t recommend it, but blue porterweed is reported to have a wide range of medicinal uses, from treating fungal infections to high blood pressure, colds, constipation, diarrhea, boils, burns, earache, headache, allergies, worms, and “nervous pains.”
Do you cut back porterweed?
You may want to trim the shrub occasionally to keep it shaped. Cut it back hard in spring (late March or early April) to encourage new growth to keep it full and bushy. Fertilize in spring, summer, and fall with a good granular fertilizer.
Do Porterweeds attract butterflies?
Blue porterweed is a low growing perennial which blooms year round. Although the flowers on blue porterweed are small and each flower only opens for one day, it attracts a large number of butterflies.
Should porterweed be trimmed?
How do you trim porterweed?
Pruning: Not needed except to remove spent flower stems though it’s not required, pinch to improve branching. When to Plant: Plant outdoors mid-late spring-summer, repot / uppot spring to late summer.
Is all porterweed edible?
Usage: The leaves and flowers of porterweed are utilized for food and medicine. The small blue to purple flowers are edible, make a beautiful addition to your salads and they taste like mushrooms! Medicinally, porterweed is most often prepared as an infusion or decoction.