Two species of snakeherb, Dyschoriste oblongifolia and D. linearis, are excellent candidates for a midsummer issue of Hot Plants. These herbaceous perennials flourish in full sun, hot temperatures and droughty conditions. Best used as ground covers in sunny locations, both species emerge from dormancy in midspring, then bear lavender-blue flowers for an extended period of time in late spring to midsummer, longer if rainfall is plentiful. D. linearis is taller (12 inches) then its sister species D. oblongifolia (8-10 inches). Both spread by underground stems to colonize the area in the garden where they are planted.
D. linearis is native to Texas and Oklahoma whereas D. oblongifolia is native to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Louisiana. In Fayetteville, both species have survived many winters in well-drained locations and should do well throughout the rest of the state.
Common Name: Snakeherb or polka dots
Scientific Name: Dyschoriste oblongifolia, D. linearis
Color: Lavender-blue flowers and medium green foliage; foliage flushes purple in fall.
Blooming Period: Late spring into summer
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Size: 8 to 12 inches high, indefinite spread
Exposure: Full sun
When to Plant: Transplant in spring
How to Plant: From a container
Soil: Adaptable to soil; should be well drained, especially in winter.
Watering: Supplemental watering not necessary once plants are established in the landscape.
In Your Landscape: Use these two species as ground covers to underplant beneath other sun-loving perennials.
(Photos courtesy of Jon T. Lindstrom.)