Mexican Heather:
A Texas Superstar®
by CMG Kathleen S.
Photo from commons.wikimedia.org, courtesy of F. and K. Starr
For a plant to be designated a Texas Superstar®, it must be beautiful and perform well for growers throughout the state. It must also be relatively easy to propagate. ‘Allyson’ Mexican Heather meets these requirements and more.
Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia ‘Allyson’) grows about 12 to 18 inches tall and 16 to 18 inches wide. Its delicate, finely textured foliage is often covered with a profusion of small purple flowers. Although Mexican Heather is often described as a small shrub, it can be used in a variety of ways throughout the landscape.
Photo from commons.wikimedia.org, courtesy of Mokkie
Mexican Heather makes a beautiful addition to hanging baskets and containers. It can be used to edge a garden bed or landscape planting and is also an attractive choice for a cottage garden. Its flowers are especially appealing to bees and butterflies.
Mexican Heather grows best in full sun, although it appreciates some protection from intense late-afternoon summer sun. It tolerates the high heat and humidity found in much of Texas. Plant it in well-drained soil and water regularly, particularly during periods of hot, dry weather. A layer of mulch can help conserve soil moisture and moderate soil temperatures. During the growing season, supplement with a water-soluble fertilizer every 10 to 14 days. Mexican Heather is adaptable to a range of soil conditions, provided the soil drains well.
Occasional pests include spider mites and whiteflies. Regularly inspecting plants can help identify pest problems before they become serious.
Mexican Heather is not frost-hardy and is generally grown as a seasonal annual in much of Texas. However, after a relatively mild winter, established plants may resprout from the crown in spring. New spring plantings will often provide better performance than plants that have survived the winter.
Mexican Heather can be propagated by seed, cuttings or division. Softwood cuttings are a practical way to produce new plants. Seeds can also be started indoors several weeks before the last expected frost. When growing from seed, keep the growing medium consistently moist while the seeds germinate.
Photo from commons.wikimedia.org, courtesy of Dinesh Valke
The plant belongs to the loosestrife family, Lythraceae and is native to Mexico and Guatemala. Several forms and cultivars of Mexican Heather are available, with flowers ranging from purple and lavender to pink and white. ‘Allyson’ is the selection recognized as a Texas Superstar®.
With its fine-textured foliage, abundant flowers, versatility and appeal to pollinators, ‘Allyson’ Mexican Heather is an excellent choice for Texas gardens. Whether planted in a border, container or hanging basket, this adaptable little plant can provide months of color during the growing season.
References: agrilifetoday.tamu.edu, heavenbalcony.com, thespruce.com, livetoplant.com