{"product_id":"91dez9tppdmp60lpj9cn6r3oxk16s9","title":"Houstonia longifolia - Longleaf bluets (pint)","description":"\u003cp\u003eLongleaf bluets (\u003cem\u003eHoustonia longifolia\u003c\/em\u003e) are small (3-10“) and dainty native perennial wildflowers found throughout Michigan (and well beyond, from the deep south to Ontario, CAN, and all the way east to the Atlantic coast) in dry, open sandy or rocky places (prairies or glades) as well as in upland deciduous woods. They are highly drought tolerant, and can handle most any sunlight conditions, though some sun is preferred. Their bloom time is sporadic, starting in late spring and sometimes continuing through all of summer, and their tiny, beautiful, tubular flowers vary in color from pinkish-white to light purple. After flowering and setting seed, its stems fade away, while the basal rosette of leaves may persist evergreen through winter. Note that this plant does not tolerate competition well, and relies on its ability to persist in dry, poor soil to survive. If planted in a fertile flower bed, it will be outcompeted.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species not only offers a unique, eye-catching appearance, but also offers food to a variety of insects. The Spotted Thyris moth, \u003cem\u003eThyris maculata\u003c\/em\u003e, a lovely day-flying moth, uses \u003cem\u003eHoustonia spp.\u003c\/em\u003e as host plants. The flowers, though tiny, are abundant in nutritious nectar and pollen and are thus highly attractive to a variety of small insects and native specialist bees, including masked bees, mason bees, and Halictid bees.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThough not commonly foraged, all above-ground parts are edible, and can be eaten raw in salads and sandwiches or as a unique garnish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSun: full - part sun\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeight: 3-10”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFlower color: white - pink\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBloom time: May - July\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWetness: medium dry - dry\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoil: sandy, gravely, poor soil\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePot size = pint\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePhoto credit - Chris Evans, University of Illinois, \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/Bugwood.org\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBugwood.org\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Magical Mystery Meadows","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48405282226388,"sku":"SQ1992868","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/magicalmysterymeadows.us\/products\/91dez9tppdmp60lpj9cn6r3oxk16s9","provider":"Magical Mystery Meadows ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}