Convolvulus sabatius


Convolvulus sabatius, the ground blue-convolvulus or blue rock bindweed, is a species of flowering plant in the family Convolvulaceae, native to Italy and North Africa, and often seen in cultivation.

Description

It is a woody-stemmed trailing perennial plant, growing to in height. It has slightly hairy leaves and light blue to violet flowers, often with a lighter centre, which is in diameter. The stem is decumbent to ascending and non-twining. The leaves are all entire. The base of the leaf blade is slightly heart-shaped and truncate to wedge-shaped. The corolla is 15 to 22 millimeters long and blue to pink.
The Latin specific epithet sabatius refers to the Savona region of Italy.

Cultivation

This species is often sold under the synonym C. mauritanicus. Although a perennial, it is best treated as an annual in colder climates. It is suited to window boxes and containers and prefers a sunny situation with good drainage. Tip pruning encourages new growth and flowering. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.