What is a Blue Daze?

'Blue Daze' is a cultivar of Evolvulus, a plant genus in the morning glory family native to South America. Two different species, E. glomeratus and E. pilosus, are both referred to as 'Blue Daze,' which can cause some confusion in the nursery. E. glomeratus tends to be the more readily available of the two. In addition to being available through nurseries, these plants can also be ordered from gardening catalogs and obtained through trades with other gardeners.

This plant is native to the tropics and grows best in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) zones eight through 11. It has light green simple leaves with a velvety coating, and produces small blue flowers resembling miniature morning glories. 'Blue Daze' is a creeping subshrub, and will remain relatively low to the ground, although it can sprawl in an environment it likes. The plant is ideal for bedding, borders, and specimen plantings, and is also suitable for container gardening.

Gardeners will need well-drained soil mixed with sand to cultivate 'Blue Daze,' and the plant prefers a sunny to partially shady spot in the garden with some air circulation to prevent mold and mildew. These plants are salt tolerant and can also cope with drought and low water conditions, an advantage for people looking for plants to grow in harsh environments. The bright blue flowers can be encouraged to persist for months by pinching them off as they start to fade, forcing the plant to produce more.

In warm climates, 'Blue Daze' can easily be grown as a perennial. In cooler environments, it may be advisable to cultivate it as an annual, allowing it to die off in the fall and replacing it during the spring months. It is also possible to overwinter containers indoors in cool climates, bringing the containers back out in the spring. 'Blue Daze' can be grown in hanging containers, making it easy to move with the change of seasons.

People interested in growing this plant can obtain seeds and seedlings commercially, or take cuttings from a mature plant. Cuttings can be rooted in rich, well-drained soil and transplanted once they take. For convenience, people can propagate starts and cuttings in peat cups, making 'Blue Daze' a cinch to transplant, as it can be transferred cup and all to a spot in the garden or placed in a larger container. The peat will break down and enrich the soil.