{"product_id":"big-blue-lechenaultia-lechenaultia-biloba-big-blue","title":"Big Blue Lechenaultia - Lechenaultia biloba 'Big Blue'","description":"\u003cp\u003eBig Blue Lechenaultia (\u003cem\u003eLechenaultia biloba\u003c\/em\u003e 'Big Blue') is a compact Western Australian wildflower with some of the truest blue flowers in the garden. It forms a low mound about 30cm tall and 50cm wide or more, covered from winter into spring in deep to mid blue blooms. It is a specialist: spectacular in the right spot, and short-lived in the wrong one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA truly blue flower.\u003c\/strong\u003e Few plants flower in such a clean, vivid blue, and each bloom has two petals above and three below.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact and deeper in colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e Big Blue is neater than the variable species form, and a deeper blue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour in winter and spring.\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowers appear from winter through spring, when many natives are quiet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaterwise.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once established it needs very little water, which suits dry gardens and gravel plantings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade for pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is a good container plant where garden soil is heavy and does not drain freely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and raised beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 50cm apart in full sun on a mound or between rocks. That spacing lets air move around each plant, which matters more than filling the gap quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a pot of very free-draining potting mix with extra sand or grit. A pot is the safest option where the climate is humid or the soil is clay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWaterwise gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pair it with native grasses and silver-leaved plants in gravel for a sparse, sunny look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Big Blue Lechenaultia in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun in an airy spot. It comes from Western Australia and is happiest in Mediterranean and semi-arid climates, with dry summers and low humidity. It tolerates light frost once established. Humid coastal gardens in the east are hard going, so grow it in a pot there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent drainage is non-negotiable. Sandy or gravelly soil is ideal, and clay needs a raised mound or a container.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water very sparingly, especially in humid climates. A native slow release fertiliser in spring keeps the plant healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Little is needed. Trim the tips lightly after flowering to keep the mound tidy, and avoid cutting into bare old wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Big Blue Lechenaultia as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Plant it into its final spot or pot soon after it arrives. Even in perfect conditions individual plants can be short-lived, so many gardeners plant a few and replace as needed. Our tube stock comes from our grower, who does not always have plants ready. When there are none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eAustralian native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rockery-plants\"\u003eRockery plants for sunny, well-drained beds\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ePlants that thrive in pots\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/waterwise-garden-guide-sustainable-tips-and-plant-selections\"\u003eGuide to creating a waterwise garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy do lechenaultia plants sometimes die suddenly?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHumidity, wet soil and overwatering are the usual causes. Even in good conditions individual plants can be short-lived, so plant a few and keep the drainage sharp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it on the humid east coast?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a challenge. Grow it in a pot of very free-draining mix, give it plenty of air around it, and keep the water light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 30cm tall and 50cm wide, sometimes wider as it spreads. It stays low, so plant it at the front of a bed where it can be seen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790846951743,"sku":"LEC-BIL-BIGBLU-tube","price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/big-blue-lechenaultia-lechenaultia-biloba-big-blue.jpg?v=1792208867","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/big-blue-lechenaultia-lechenaultia-biloba-big-blue","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}