DAMPIERA. Australia. These are showy perennials and small shrubs, few of them known in California. They vary considerably in habit and foliage, but all have irregular, colorful flowers somewhat resembling those of the lobelias. The following will thrive in sun or light shade near the coast, part shade inland, with well drained, non-alkaline soil and moderate watering. They are hardy to around 20oF.
diversifolia. One of our favorites among the Australian collection at the U.C. Santa Cruz Arboretum. It is a prostrate, woody-based perennial, forming mats perhaps 3’ or more broad. The slender stems are neatly lined by narrow, shiny leaves. The whole plant is carpeted in spring with 1/2" blossoms painted intense blue-violet, marked with yellow. A good small-scale ground cover.
trigona. This is a mostly herbaceous perennial species, received from Kathy Musial. It produces many bright green, angled stems from the base, held—in this form—nearly upright, giving it the appearance of a little broom. The leaves are small and narrow. Violet-blue flowers, each nearly 1” across, dot the plant in spring.