Heliotropium amplexicaule

Most of our hardy perennials come from North America, Europe or Asia. Hardy Heliotrope, however, is a choice ornamental native to Argentina in South America. It is a tough, drought-tolerant perennial that can survive in the rugged Southern Great Plains even if neglected. The flower-heads, with blooms of violet with yellow centers are dense at first then later loose, are known botanically as Scorpiod Cymes. Hardier than what I think many gardeners realize, it flowers spring into fall and works tremendously well as a groundcover.