Isotoma Fluviatilis 'Bluestar Creeper'
Isotoma fluviatilis 'Blue Star Creeper' is a low growing perennial groundcover that forms a dense carpet of fresh green foliage dotted with delicate star shaped blue flowers from spring into early fall. Its spreading habit makes it an attractive alternative for filling gaps between stepping stones and softening garden edges while providing a long season of color close to the ground.
Height & Spread: 1 - 3 in x 12 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Spring to early fall
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained soil
Watering Needs: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture, especially in sunny locations
Deer Resistance: Generally deer resistant
Native Status
Blue Star Creeper is native to Australia and New Zealand and is not native to North America. It is valued as an ornamental groundcover for its spreading growth and extended flowering season.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- The small blue flowers can provide nectar for visiting bees, adding pollinator activity to paths, rock gardens, and other low growing plantings.
Butterflies
- Its extended flowering season can offer an additional nectar source for small butterflies when planted alongside other pollinator friendly flowers.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 6 - 12 in apart to encourage the plants to knit together into a dense groundcover. Allow additional room where a slower, more open spread is preferred.
Landscape Placement
- Ideal for planting between stepping stones, along pathways, in rock gardens, and at the front of borders where its low profile and blue flowers create a soft carpet. It can tolerate light foot traffic once established but performs best when the soil does not dry out completely.
Companion Plants
- Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed) - Provides contrasting foliage and spring flower spikes for a layered groundcover planting.
- Thymus serpyllum (Creeping Thyme) - Adds aromatic foliage and tiny flowers while complementing Blue Star Creeper in sunny spaces with suitable drainage.
- Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox) - Offers a vivid spring flower display that pairs beautifully with the small blue blooms.
- Arenaria verna (Irish Moss) - Creates a fine textured green carpet that contrasts with Blue Star Creeper’s star shaped flowers.
- Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge) - Adds a graceful grassy texture along the edges of a groundcover planting in part shade.