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Products > Trichostema lanatum   Trichostema lanatum - Woolly Blue Curls     [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Shrub Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) (Mints) Origin: California (U.S.A.) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Blue Bloomtime: Spring/Fall Height: 3-4 feet Width: 4-5 feet Exposure: Full Sun Summer Dry: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 10-15° F Trichostema lanatum (Woolly Blue Curls) - This California native evergreen shrub comes from dry slopes of the south coast ranges. It grows to 3-4 feet tall and sprawls to 4-5 feet with narrow aromatic leaves that are shiny green above and woolly white underneath. From late spring through summer appear the 1 foot long clusters of blue (typically) flowers with long recurved stamens. The bloom period can extend into fall with a little supplemental summer watering (only when soil drains adequately). Plant in full sun in a very well-drained lean soil as it will not tolerate summer moisture in heavy soils. Do not amend or fertilize heavily. Hardy to 10 degrees F without freezing back and has been known to recover from the base at temperatures down to below zero. Gets a little leggy with age and benefits from early pruning. Makes a great cut flower for the vase. Our plants from seed that exhibits some variability in flower color from nearly white to dark violet blue. Another listed common name for this plant is Romero, which comes from the similarities between Rosemary (Romero) and Trichostema lanatum, that were noted during the Portola expedition in 1769. Other names include California Rosemary and American Wild Rosemary.  The information on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources as well as from observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery's garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We have also incorporated comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information, particularly if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing  Trichostema lanatum.     [MORE INFO]