Bacopa is a trailing perennial that is perfect for hanging baskets, containers and providing ground cover at the front of borders. Originally from South Africa, it is grown as an annual in the UK, because it isn’t frost hardy and won’t survive temperatures below 5ºC. It produces a mass of tiny flowers over a long period, from June through to October, in either white, pink or blue.
The Latin name for bacopa is Chaenostoma cordata, formerly known as Sutera cordata, which can make it confusing searching for plants to buy online. When buying bacopa, it’s also worth bearing in mind that there is another plant genus called Bacopa, also known as water hyssop, and this plant family is comprised of many aquatic plants.
Bacopa, the annual trailing plant, is a great pick for container displays because it will keep flowering without the need for deadheading and, unlike many bedding plants, is a good plant for pollinators. It also grows well in partial shade.
How to grow bacopa
Grow bacopa in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil or a container of good quality, peat-free compost. Water regularly throughout summer.
Where to grow bacopa
Bacopa is the perfect plant for hanging baskets due to its trailing stems. These can grow up to 65cm long, softening the edges of baskets and containers. Its spreading habit also makes it a useful ground cover plant at the front of borders.
How to plant bacopa
If growing bacopa from plug plants, pot on and grow indoors until all danger of frosts has passed. Before planting outside for the summer, harden plants off gradually by placing pots outdoors during the day for 7-10 days, bringing them in at night. Once they are ready to plant out, choose a spot with well-drained soil in your border or plant into a container or hanging basket filled with peat-free multi-purpose compost.
How to care for bacopa
Bacopa is a low-maintenance bedding plant. Water regularly, especially during hot weather and if it’s planted in a hanging basket or container, as these dry out quickly during the summer. Feed regularly throughout the growing season with a general purpose liquid feed, if growing in containers.
Bacopa plants will die in the heat, if they are not watered, and if left out overnight when there’s a frost.
Pruning – it’s not necessary to deadhead bacopa, it will remain tidy without being trimmed and keep flowering into the autumn. As it’s a trailing plant, it doesn’t need to be pruned into shape to encourage bushiness and will only grow to around 20cm high.
How to propagate bacopa
The easiest way to make more bacopa plants is by taking stem cuttings between March and August. Cut a shoot around 10-15cm long. Trim the cutting at the bottom, just below a leaf joint and remove the leaves from the bottom half. Insert the cutting into a pot of compost and wait for it to root. Alternatively, you can put it in a jar of water and wait until roots have formed, then pot it up.
Pests and diseases
Bacopa is not prone to many pests, and is generally disease free and easy to look after. The one pest you may see occasionally are aphids. Either remove aphids by hand and squash or leave them for the birds to feed on. If the infestation is severe, try using a jet of water to spray off the pests.
Advice on buying bacopa
- Search for Sutera cordata or Chaenostoma cordatum when looking for bacopa online
- To save money, buy small plug plants in early spring and grow them on indoors
- Always check plants for signs of damage or disease before planting.
Where to buy bacopa
Varieties of bacopa
‘Megacopa Blue’ – a floriferous, mauve bacopa that flowers for months on end. Height x Spread: 15cm x 45cm
‘Pink Shine’ – a pink variety from the Megacopa series and the same prolific flowering habit as other annual bacopa plants. H x S: 15cm x 60cm
‘Blutopia’ – this bacopa has mauve-blue flowers that will provide a striking addition to any container or hanging basket display. H x S: 15cm x 45cm
from BBC Gardeners World Magazine https://ift.tt/eZa0O1r
