In The Garden Now ... Clown Flower

Bouquet Blue Torenia

Text and photo by Victoria Gilleland

This little beauty has been blooming since early summer and shows no sign of slowing down as fall marches along. True blue flowers are hard to come by at any time of year and those with such a long bloom time are to be treasured.

The intense blue petal color intensifies next to the bright white and yellow in the throat of the flower. When you look down into the face of these little flowers you’ll see how “Clown Flower” has become a popular common name.

On top of all this Hummingbirds love these blossoms and the plant tends to be less than tasty to deer. Slugs and other pests have left my plants alone as well.

Torenia grows and blooms well in part shade and is a compact mounding annual reaching about 6 inches high and 15-20 inches wide. It looks great draped over the edge of a pot or can be grown in a garden bed. It’s a very versatile easy care plant.

Give this long blooming annual a try in your garden next year.

Botanical Name: Torenia Bouquet Blue

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 20 years.