Lithotoma axillaris aka Isotoma Axillaris

Lithotoma axillaris comes from eastern Australia. It is a tender perennial: it lives for years but tolerates little cold. It grows in subtropical climates. It belongs to Campanulaceae, the bellflower family. Garden sources also call it Isotoma axillaris. Other names are Laurentia axillaris and Solenopsis axillaris. Its common names include Laurentia. It keeps its leaves all year where it can survive. Since it withstands little cold, gardeners also grow it as an annual.

The plant forms a bush and has lobed leaves. The RHS gives its height and width as about 1.3 feet (0.4 metres). Its wider size range reaches 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) each way. Plants reach full size in one to two years. Blue, star-shaped flowers rise above the leaves. Each bloom can span about 0.1 feet (0.03 metres). Shades range from light blue to purple-blue. The RHS lists blooms from late spring through summer. Missouri Botanical Garden gives June until frost as the bloom season.

Grow it in full sun, with moist soil that drains well. It accepts clay, loam, sand, and chalk soils. It can grow in acid, neutral, or alkaline soil. Missouri Botanical Garden lists its water needs as medium. The RHS gives a UK hardiness rating of H3. It can thus survive winter outdoors in coastal and other mild areas only. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 10–11. Its lack of cold tolerance helps explain its use in seasonal bedding.

Laurentia suits flower beds, borders, and pots. The RHS suggests gardens in courtyards and on patios, too. It also lists cottage gardens and those with an informal style. The blue blooms give the main show through the warm months. Remove spent blooms and trim the plant as needed. Grow new plants from seed or softwood cuttings. Missouri Botanical Garden rates its care needs as medium.

Both garden sources report few major pest or disease problems. The RHS says it is largely free of both. Missouri Botanical Garden still says to watch for aphids. Take care with stems: their sap can harm some people's skin or eyes through irritation. The RHS advises gloves and other safety gear when handling plants. The supplied evidence gives no use as food. It thus does not show that any part is edible.