{"product_id":"blue-rod-stemodia-florulenta","title":"Blue Rod - Stemodia florulenta","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlue Rod (\u003cem\u003eStemodia florulenta\u003c\/em\u003e) is a bushy, upright Australian native perennial that grows 40cm to 80cm tall and about 40cm wide. Slender green leaves carry small, deep blue to purple flowers through spring and summer, a colour that is rare in nature and always in demand. It is a tough inland plant that copes with drought, frost and even salty or seasonally flooded soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrue blue flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep blue to purple blooms in spring and summer, in a colour few native plants offer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough inland genes.\u003c\/strong\u003e In the wild it grows across the inland southern states, in dry country and frosty country, so established plants handle both.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFine in salty or seasonally wet soil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Few garden perennials accept salty ground and periodic flooding, and this one does.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eButterfly friendly.\u003c\/strong\u003e Native butterflies visit the flowers, so it earns its place in a wildlife garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal garden credentials.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is related to veronica and penstemon, with the same garden character but a native pedigree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative and cottage gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in groups of three or five at the front of a mixed border, where blue flowers lift green and silver foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrifts and mass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm apart for a continuous sweep of upright stems that flowers across the warm months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDifficult spots.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it where the soil is salty or floods in the wet season and other perennials have failed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Blue Rod in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Part sun to shade in good garden soil gives the best result, though it also copes with full sun. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi-arid gardens, and it is drought and frost tolerant once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Good garden soil suits it best. In the wild it grows in a range of soils, including salty ground and soil that floods seasonally. A layer of mulch holds moisture around the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, around 12 weeks, and keep watering through dry periods for the best flowering. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring to encourage flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Little is needed. A light trim after the main flush of flowers keeps the plant bushy and compact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Rod is sold as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes arrive upright and ready to plant, and with warm weather and regular water they put on bushy growth within weeks. Expect the first flowers in spring or summer once the plant has settled in.\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\"\u003eBrowse Australian native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003eDrought tolerant plants for dry gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bee-and-butterfly-plants\"\u003eBee and butterfly friendly plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/designing-a-native-australian-garden-to-attract-wildlife\"\u003eDesigning a native garden to attract wildlife\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Blue Rod really an Australian native?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It is native to inland parts of several southern states, where it grows in a range of soils from dry country to frosty districts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it cope with frost and drought?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, once established. It is drought and frost tolerant, though it flowers best if it gets a drink during long dry periods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I plant it in a salty or boggy spot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt grows in salty and seasonally flooded soils in the wild, so it is a good option for those spots. For the most reliable garden result, give it good soil and mulch.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789641777471,"sku":"STE-FLO-tube","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/blue-rod-stemodia-florulenta.jpg?v=1792192595","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/blue-rod-stemodia-florulenta","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}