Clitoria - Butterfly Pea

(Clitor'ia)

DESCRIPTION: These are tender climbing shrubs or herbaceous plants. The tender kinds may be grown outdoors in the South and in the greenhouse. The slender, twining vines may grow 10 to 20 feet in height. The leaves are made of 5 to 7 leaflets, each growing up to 4 inches long. The flowers resemble peas and may be sea blue or white. These are quick covers for lattice, trellis, arbor and chain-link fence.

POTTING: Clitoria love the sun and will thrive in any well-drained, moist, garden soil.

PROPAGATION: Seeds should be soaked 24 to 48 hours in water that’s room temperature before planting inside. The temperature should be 70 to 75 degrees and they should be sown 12 weeks before warm weather arrives.

VARIETIES: C. ternatea; C. mariana.

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