Trachymene coerulea, known as the Blue Lace Flower, is a sophisticated Half-Hardy Annual (H2). Native to the sun-drenched landscapes of Western Australia, it thrives in the UK summer, providing continuous lavender-blue blooms from July until the first autumn frosts.

The Cut-and-Come-Again Factor: Didiscus is exceptionally productive. It behaves as a true "working plant" in the cutting garden; the more frequently you harvest the stems for the house, the more the plant is stimulated to produce fresh side-shoots, ensuring a steady supply of lace-like flowers for months.

Professional Vase Life: Despite its delicate, almost fragile appearance, Didiscus is surprisingly robust in water. It possesses a professional-standard vase life of 7-10 days, making it a prized choice for wedding arrangements and intricate floral designs where movement and texture are key.

Didiscus is rewarding to grow, but it has one specific biological requirement for successful germination: total darkness.

How to Sow:
Sow indoors from February to April. Sow the seeds into modules or small pots on the surface of moist seed compost. Cover them completely with a layer of soil or vermiculite. To ensure total darkness, cover your seed tray with a piece of cardboard or black plastic until the first shoots appear. Keep at 18-20°C; germination usually occurs within 14-21 days.

Where to Plant:
They demand full sun and thrive in well-drained soil. They possess a sensitive taproot and deeply dislike root disturbance; for this reason, we recommend transplanting carefully into their final sheltered flowering positions in late May or June once all risk of frost has passed.

Ongoing Care:
The slender, elegantly curving stems can be prone to bending under the weight of heavy summer rain. We recommend providing light horizontal support netting or twiggy sticks to keep the stems straight for cutting. They are relatively drought-tolerant once established but require consistent moisture during the seedling stage.

The powder-blue of Didiscus is soft and non-aggressive, making it a dream partner for these available stars from our range:

• ☁️ Ammi majus: The Texture Match. Pairing the pure white lace of Ammi with the dreamy blue lace of Didiscus creates a stunning, frothy display that looks like it has been lifted straight from a Dutch flower painting. This is the ultimate romantic, airy border combination.
• 🌼 Cosmos 'Purity' : The Daisy Contrast. The large, simple white faces of 'Purity' Cosmos provide a clean, solid backdrop that allows the intricate, tiny details of the Blue Lace Flower to truly stand out. Together, they create a cooling and elegant summer palette.

Sow indoors in spring (ensuring total darkness) for a spectacular lavender-blue harvest from July until the autumn frosts.