Mexican Heather ‘Allyson’
Cuphea hyssopifolia ‘Allyson Heather’
Characteristics
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Maintenance: Low
- Flower: Showy
- Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies
- Texas Superstar®
Culture
Mexican Heather ‘Allyson’ is winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-11. In the North Texas area, it is often grown as an annual, container plant or houseplant. If winters are mild, it often acts more like a perennial. In the garden, it is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. According to Texas A&M one of the standout Mexican Heathers is ‘Allyson’, an improved variety with showy flowers and compact size. It has performed beyond other varieties. It is a multi-stemmed annual with an upright spreading growth habit which blooms a plethora of petite rose-purple flowers from spring to the first hard frost. Its medium texture blends well into the garden and can always be complimented by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective configuration. This Mexican Heather ‘Allyson’ plant has not only been a favorite in Texas gardens for many years, but is also one of the top plants in attracting bees and butterflies.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Cuphea hyssopifolia, commonly called Mexican heather, is native from Mexico to Guatemala. It is a rounded, densely branched 1-2’ tall tropical sub-shrub. It produces quaint, small, trumpet-shaped flowers with six spreading lavender petals and green calyx tubes. Flowers appear singly in the leaf axils along stems crowded with lance-shaped glossy green leaves (to 3/4” long). Although heather-like in appearance, this plant is not a member of the heather family, hence the sometimes used common name of false heather. Mexican Heather ‘Allyson’ tolerates high summer heat and some drought. Best with regular moisture. The shape of the plant layers out with tiny leaves and flowers, but when it blooms there are so many flowers it covers the foliage, which if you can see it, has a sheen to it.
Problems
Watch for mealybugs, thrips, and whiteflies, particularly on indoor plants.
Garden Uses
Annual for borders, beds, ground cover or edgings along walkways or paths. Container plant for decks, patios or porches. Hanging baskets. Houseplant. If grown in containers, plants may be overwintered indoors in warm, sunny locations.