It also does well in window boxes or containers.
Lithodora Care
Lithodora is easy to grow, quite hardy, and largely resistant to disease.
With little maintenance, this groundcover will put on a prolific floral show.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The flowers attracts butterflies so it is a good addition to apollinator garden.
Light
While Lithodora thrives in full sun, it can also grow in partial shade.
Give the plant afternoon shade in hotter climates.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Protect from direct, hot sunlight and extreme winds until plants become established.
Soil
Provide moderately rich, well-drained, acidic soil, preferably sand.
The plant does not tolerate heavy clay soil.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Stick your finger in the soil to check that it remains damp about one inch below the surface.
Do not let the soil become bone dry or soggy; overwatering could also causeroot rot.
One inch of water per week should suffice.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Instead, use a diluted slow-release fertilizer.
It does not like extremely hot and humid conditions.
Lithodora Varieties
Most Lithodora are cultivars ofLithodora diffusa.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Popular ones include:
Pruning
Consider several things when carefully pruning Lithodora.
The plant can become straggly, and the stems or leaves can become damaged by cold winter temperatures.
As you would dofor any evergreen, wait until early spring to prune it.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Remove any blackened leaves that could prevent new growth and cause disease.
Remove any unwanted tall or leggy growth.
Potting and Repotting Lithodora
Lithodora grows well in a containers.
Unglazed clay is ideal because it allows excess moisture evaporate.
Fill the pot with a quality potting mix.
Water it slowly and thoroughly until the soil is evenly moist.
Like allcontainer plants, potted Lithodora needs regular watering to keep the soil moist.
Do this in the spring before the new growth starts.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Usually, pests are not a problem.
However, ifaphids,spider mites, or whitefly appear on the plant, spray withinsecticidal soap.
Hot pepper wax can be used on mites and whitefly, too.
In the event of a root-knot nematode invasion, plants can wilt or look stunted.
Remove and discard the infected plants and reach out to your local extension service for advice.
If this happens, remove any infected plants.
Lithodora diffusais native to southern and western Europe and the Mediterranean.
It is not native to North America.
They are two different plants although the both have blue flowers.Lobeliais a tender perennial in the bellflower family.
The genus name,Lithodora, comes from the Greek wordlythosfor stone anddoreafor gift.
Lithodora Diffusa - Plant Finder.Missouribotanicalgarden.org, https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=277981&isprofile=0&
