Blue Shrimp Plant

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The Blue Shrimp Plant also known as Blue Kiwi, Blue Wax Flower and Pride of Gibraltar is almost steel blue-green foliage and sensational deep blue bracts and small purple flowers make a wonderful impact in the garden. Early in the season this unusual plant resembles a garden pea but as the stems lengthen, they branch to produce showy blue flower bracts with small purple bells that seem to grow out of the leaves and stems. Very attractive to bees. Heat tolerant throughout the summer and also hardy down to at least 23 degrees F. Cooler nights in fall produce an even deeper blue color. While technically an annual, this self-sowing hardy plant will drop its large pea sized seeds throughout late summer and early autumn and will grow in and around the same patch for quite some years. Growing to approximately 18-24 inches tall, this rare heirloom variety is a subtle but beautiful plant that is quite easy to grow and low maintenance.

Growing Tips:
Soak the large seeds overnight and sow 3/4″ deep outside after the last frost in your area or start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost, It will germinate in 7-21 days at 70F/21C. Watch out for damping off if you are starting them inside. Transplant to full sun and good soil for taller plants, partial shade for shorter, less floppy plants. It can be grown in pots.
For best results, plant in humus rich, moist but well-drained soil. Use a complete organic fertilizer when seedlings appear and monthly applications thereafter.  Thrives in a variety of soils and does best in full sun or very light shade. Propagation: Collect the seeds in fall and keep them in dry storage over winter.