Kalimeris 'Blue Star' is a perennial known for its soft lavender blue daisy like flowers and compact habit. It blooms reliably from early summer through fall and brings subtle color and pollinator appeal to borders and mixed beds.
Height & Spread: 12 - 18 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Early summer through fall
Light Requirements: Full sun to part sun
Soil Preference: Tolerant of a range of soils, but performs best in well drained, moderately fertile soil
Watering Needs: Moderate; consistent moisture supports best flowering but is drought tolerant once established
Deer Resistance: High
Native Status
Not native to North America. Kalimeris species are native to East Asia, particularly Japan and China, where they grow in meadows and open areas. Widely used in temperate garden designs for their long bloom period and ease of care.
Wildlife & Insects
Butterflies
- Attracts Painted Ladies and Eastern Tailed Blues, which are drawn to its abundant late season nectar supply.
Bees
- Visited frequently by native bumblebees, honeybees, and small carpenter bees seeking consistent pollen sources throughout the growing season.
Beneficial Insects
- Supports predatory wasps and hoverflies that help manage pest populations in pollinator friendly plantings.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Plant 18 - 24 in apart to form a lush, low flowering carpet with room for air flow and expansion.
Landscape Placement
- Ideal for front borders, pollinator beds, rock gardens, and mixed perennial groupings where steady color and low profile are desirable.
Companion Plants
- Geranium sanguineum (Bloody Cranesbill) - Offers a mounding form and magenta blooms that contrast nicely with blue star flowers.
- Salvia nemorosa (Woodland Sage) - Spiky purple flowers add texture and vertical interest beside the rounded form of Kalimeris.
- Coreopsis verticillata (Threadleaf Coreopsis) - Delicate foliage and bright yellow blooms provide a vivid color balance.
- Nepeta 'Walker’s Low' (Catmint) - Soft blue blooms and aromatic foliage blend harmoniously in cottage or wildlife gardens.
- Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender) - Adds bold fragrance and striking flower bracts to complement Kalimeris’s delicate charm.