Evolvulus (Evolvulus glomeratus 'Hawaiian Blue Eyes')

Overview

Evolvulus glomeratus ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’ offers gardeners a cascade of vibrant, true-blue, morning glory-like flowers that persist from early summer right up to the first frost. This tender perennial, often grown as an annual, is highly valued for its low-maintenance requirements and excellent trailing habit, making it a stellar choice for adding color to upright displays. The silvery-green foliage of this Evolvulus cultivar provides a beautiful contrast to the deep blue blooms.

Though technically a perennial hardy in warmer climates (Zones 9-11), gardeners in cooler regions benefit from treating Evolvulus as a fast-growing, reliable annual that requires minimal fuss. Unlike its twining cousins in the Convolvulaceae family, Evolvulus glomeratus ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’ maintains a non-vining, mounding or trailing form, perfect for spilling over edges or covering small areas.

This easy-going Evolvulus cultivar thrives in full sun and attracts attention wherever it is placed, whether cascading from a hanging basket or acting as a dense ground cover. Its resilience and continuous flowering power ensure prolonged seasonal interest, minimizing the need for deadheading or excessive care.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Convolvulaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-11
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.75-1.5 ft
  • Spread: 2-3 ft
• Bloom Time: June to frost
• Bloom Description: Blue
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Planting ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’ should occur after the danger of frost has passed when temperatures are reliably warm. This plant prefers well-draining soil where it will receive consistent, bright light throughout the day, striving for full sun exposure to maximize blooming potential. Whether using it as a bedding plant or in containers, ensure the soil allows water to pass through easily.

Once established, Evolvulus glomeratus ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’ requires medium water—it dislikes overly soggy conditions but should not be allowed to dry out completely between waterings, especially during the peak heat of summer. Fertilizing is generally not demanding; a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied at planting, or regular feeding with a diluted liquid fertilizer, will support prolific blooming. Pruning is rarely needed, as the plant naturally maintains a dense, trailing habit.

Gardeners in cooler zones (below Zone 9) can easily extend interest in their Evolvulus by taking cuttings during the summer months. Rooted cuttings can be brought indoors before the first frost, overwintered in a bright, cool area with reduced watering, and then returned to the garden the following spring. This practice ensures you retain the wonderful blue color provided by Evolvulus glomeratus ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’ year after year.

Landscape Uses

The compact trailing nature of Evolvulus makes it supremely versatile for softening hardscape edges and adding spill to vertical elements. It functions excellently as a small area ground cover where its 2-to-3-foot spread forms a dense, attractive mat beneath taller specimens. For containers and hanging baskets, this Evolvulus provides a dramatic, cobalt-blue fringe that drapes beautifully over the sides, contrasting well with upright fillers.

Consider mass planting Evolvulus glomeratus ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’ at the base of structural plants like upright ornamental grasses or small, clipped shrubs. It pairs wonderfully with plants that share its love for heat and sun but offer different textures, such as silvery Lamb’s Ears or bright yellow Calibrachoa varieties. When trailing over retaining walls or tumbling down rockeries, this plant provides vibrant color against stone textures.

For seasonal displays, blend the blue of the Evolvulus with warmer tones like orange zinnias or pink petunias for high-impact color combinations. Because it is low-growing and generally self-cleaning, it requires little attention once its spot in the garden is chosen.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Evolvulus glomeratus is a non-vining morning glory-like tender perennial with trailing stems that is native to Brazil. If planted in the ground as a bedding plant, it typically forms sprawling foliage mounds to 9-18” tall, while trailing stems tend to grow somewhat horizontally to downward when planted in baskets or containers. This popular cultivar, ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’, features slightly bell-shaped, blue flowers up to 1 inch in diameter that bloom profusely throughout the season on stems covered in hairy, silvery-green leaves. Please note that flowers often close up at night and during periods of heavy cloud cover.

Tolerances

Potential Problems

Evolvulus glomeratus ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’ is highly regarded by growers because it generally exhibits no known serious insect or disease problems under normal cultivation. This low incidence of pests and pathogens contributes significantly to its low-maintenance appeal in the landscape. Good drainage is the most critical factor; ensure planting beds and containers do not hold standing water, as overly wet roots can lead to fungal issues, even in resilient plants like Evolvulus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Evolvulus suitable for?

Evolvulus glomeratus ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’ is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 11, functioning as a tender perennial in this range. In colder regions, it is best treated as a dependable annual.

How large does Evolvulus grow?

This cultivar typically reaches a height between 0.75 and 1.5 feet tall, spreading out to cover an area 2 to 3 feet wide, depending on whether it is trailing or mounding.

What sun exposure does ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’ need?

This plant absolutely requires full sun exposure to develop the most dense foliage and ensure prolific blooming of its blue flowers throughout the season.

When does Evolvulus bloom?

The best display of flowers occurs continuously from June right up until the time of the first fall frost, producing small, bright blue blossoms.

Conclusion

The appeal of Evolvulus glomeratus ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’ rests in its striking, true-blue coloration and surprisingly undemanding cultural needs. This Evolvulus variety is a low-maintenance champion, excellent for baskets or as a spreading ground cover during the heat of summer. Check your local USDA hardiness zone compatibility or plan to treat it as a fast-growing annual to enjoy its continuous floral show.

Companion Planting

When designing beds or containers featuring Evolvulus glomeratus ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’, select companions that also prefer full sun and medium water needs. Its silvery-green foliage and blue flowers look fantastic alongside plants that offer textural variation. Consider pairing it with drought-tolerant succulents or silvery artemisias that enhance the cool tones of the Evolvulus blooms. Warm colors, such as bright pink Lantana or deep orange Begonias, create an exciting complementary color palette in mixed containers.

Propagation Tips

The best method for gardeners outside the perennial range to save their favorite Evolvulus plants is through summer cuttings. Take semi-hardwood cuttings from healthy stems during mid-summer; simply remove the lower leaves and place the cuttings into moist, sterile potting mix or water. Cuttings from Evolvulus glomeratus ‘Hawaiian Blue Eyes’ root relatively easily, allowing you to move the young plants indoors before the first freeze to overwinter them for springtime planting.