Kalimeris (Kalimeris incisa 'Blue Star')
Kalimeris incisa 'Blue Star' offers long-blooming, light blue daisy flowers. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in zones 5-9.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’, often referred to simply as Kalimeris, is a highly valuable herbaceous perennial celebrated for its extended blooming window and attractive daisy-like flowers. This reliably clump-forming variety brings vibrant color to the garden from early summer well into autumn, mimicking the look of asters or boltonia. Gardeners appreciate Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’ for its low maintenance needs and remarkable resilience across varying moisture conditions.
This dependable plant offers excellent texture with its oblong-lanceolate green leaves, providing a lush backdrop for the 1-inch flowers featuring delicate light blue rays surrounding sunny yellow centers. Growing robustly to about 1.5 feet tall, Kalimeris provides vertical interest without becoming unruly, making it adaptable to many garden settings. It performs well even through hot, humid summers, solidifying its place as a summer workhorse.
The overall aesthetic appeal of Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’ is its long-lasting, cheerful display, coupled with minimal fuss required from the gardener. As a low-maintenance choice, it is perfect for creating consistent color in perennial borders or mass plantings, offering continuous visual reward throughout the primary growing season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: June to September
- Bloom Description: Light blue rays and yellow center
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’ is remarkably easy to establish; plant in the spring or fall in average, well-drained soils. While it adapts well to various conditions, this plant performs best when sited in full sun to maximize bloom production, although it tolerates partial shade gracefully. Good drainage is essential, particularly to prevent potential issues associated with excessive soil moisture.
Once established, watering needs are medium. Although Kalimeris tolerates both moist and drier periods, ensure regular water during prolonged dry spells, especially in hot, full-sun locations. Fertilization is rarely necessary; this plant thrives in average soil fertility.
Routine care focuses primarily on shaping and encouraging rebloom. To maintain a compact habit and encourage fresh growth, foliage can be lightly pinched back in early summer. Shearing the spent flower stems immediately after the main bloom finishes often encourages a secondary, smaller flush of blooms later in the season. Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’ may occasionally self-seed if conditions are ideal.
Landscape Uses
The manageable size and extended flowering period make Kalimeris an excellent addition to various landscape designs. Specifically, mass or small groups look stunning in borders, providing mid-height color that bridges between shorter foreground plants and taller background specimens. Its daisy-like habit also integrates beautifully into informal cottage gardens, softening edges with its airy texture.
Kalimeris also proves versatile enough for rock gardens where its drought tolerance shines, and it suits open woodland areas where it receives filtered light. Consider pairing Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’ with plants that bloom earlier or later to ensure season-long interest in the planting bed. Its relatively low profile also allows it to function well in the front of mixed perennial groupings.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Kalimeris incisa, commonly called kalimeris, is a clump-forming perennial that is native to meadows and open ground in northeast Asia. Specific epithet means deeply and irregularly cut. ‘Blue Star’ is a clump-forming perennial that is noted for its long summer bloom of daisy-like flowers (1” diameter) featuring light blue rays and yellow centers. The flowers are very similar in appearance to those of aster and boltonia.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
This cultivar exhibits remarkable resistance to common garden pests and diseases, meaning significant insect or disease problems are rare when grown correctly. The primary concern arises from poor site selection; watch carefully for root rot, which can develop if the plant is situated in poorly drained or perpetually waterlogged soils. Always amend heavy clay soils slightly, even though Kalimeris tolerates clay, ensuring water moves away from the crowns during winter dormancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Kalimeris suitable for?
Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’ is hardy across a wide range of climates, suitable for USDA Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Kalimeris grow?
This perennial reaches a moderate height between 1 and 1.5 feet tall, with a similar spread of 1 to 1.5 feet when mature.
When does Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’ bloom?
You can expect this variety to provide long-lasting blooms from June through September, displaying light blue rays and yellow centers.
What sun exposure does Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’ need?
For the best performance and most consistent blooming, ensure this plant receives full sun, although it will tolerate partial shade.
Conclusion
The excellent performance and extended bloom period make Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’ an indispensable, low-maintenance choice for perennial borders and mixed plantings. Its tolerance for clay and drought further ensures its success across diverse garden conditions. Evaluate your site’s sunlight and drainage, and plan to incorporate this reliable Kalimeris into your garden before the next blooming season begins.
Companion Planting Strategy
When designing drifts of color around Kalimeris, select companions based on similar cultural needs (medium water, full sun to part shade) and complementary bloom times. Consider pairing Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’ with later-blooming perennials like Sedums or ornamental grasses to maintain interest after its initial flush fades. For a classic cottage garden look, integrate plants like Nepeta (Catmint) or hardy Geraniums, which share its need for well-drained soil and provide contrasting foliage textures.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring clean-up involves removing any residual debris from the previous season and performing the initial light pinch back to encourage bushier growth. Summer focus should be on maintaining consistent moisture until the plant is fully established, and deadheading spent flowers promptly to initiate a possible fall repeat bloom. In autumn, after the foliage has died back, cut the spent stems down to the base. Kalimeris is tough and generally requires no specific winter protection when planted within its recommended USDA Zones 5-9 range.
