Chaenorhinum Origanifolium Blue Dream Flower Plant
The compact growth and abundant flowers of this rock plant from southern Europe have now made it one of the most rewarding plants for containers and hanging baskets on balconies and patios. On closer inspection, the small violet flowers turn out to be striped and have a yellow and white spot in their throats. They are like snapdragons without lips and the plant is, in fact, closely related to the small toadflax (Chaenorhinum minus) that is also native to The Netherlands and southern counties of England. Its scientific name is derived from Greek: “chaino” means gape and “rhis” means “muzzle.” In botanical manuals, however, the generic name is spelt variously as Chaenorrhinum or Chaenar-rhinunt. The seed of Chaenorhinum origanifolium ‘Blue Dream’ rarely features in any catalogue, but you might also find it under Chaenorhinum glareosum ‘Blue Dream.’ Even so, you need not do without the plant, as it is cultivated on a vast scale. Commercial growers sow it as early as January to enable them to market sturdy, flowering plants by the end of May.
Plant them in the garden in very well-drained soil and in the sunniest spot you have available. When grown in pots, they do better in partial shade so that the soil does not dry out too quickly.
