Porterweed

Porterweed is an annual in many parts of Florida and may overwinter if protected from the cold in northern areas.  Small blue or pink flowers appear in numbers on long spikes at the end of the stems, and are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.  Plants vary in size and growth habit depending on the species.  The Florida native S. jamaicensis has a lowgrowing, sprawling habit and stays below 1 foot tall not including its blue-flowered spikes.  Commonly cultivated exotic species include S. urticifolia which reaches 5 feet tall and features flowers that are described as slightly smaller and darker blue with a white center, and S. mutabilis which can reach 7 feet tall and has light pink flowers.  There is also said to be a hybrid of our native S. jamaicensis and the exotic S. urticifolia called S. x intercedens which looks like the native but has an upright growth habit reaching 2-3 feet tall.  And while this plant can become weedy in warmer areas of the state, it makes a nice addition to a sunny Florida butterfly garden.