Bluecurls
Trichostema dichotomum L.
Bluecurls is a captivating native annual of eastern North America, celebrated for its delicate two-lipped violet-blue flowers adorned with dramatically arched, hair-like stamens. It symbolizes creativity, individuality, and the surprising beauty found in humble, overlooked places.
Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Mid-summer through late fall (August–November); individual flowers open only in the morning and drop by midday, but plants produce thousands of blooms over the season
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Cultural Significance
Bluecurls occupies a quietly extraordinary niche in the world of native wildflowers. It tends to grow in the least glamorous places — sandy roadsides, bare pine woodland clearings, disturbed edges — and yet the flower itself is a masterpiece of botanical engineering. The name Trichostema, from the Greek for "hair-like stamens," perfectly captures the plant's most defining feature: four long, arching filaments that sweep outward from the tiny bloom like a pair of elegant curling antennae. In 2025, it was honored as the North Carolina Wildflower of the Year — a first for an annual plant in that program's 43-year history — recognizing the growing appreciation for this underappreciated native gem. Its extraordinary ability to produce thousands of nectar-rich blooms across a long season makes it a cornerstone resource for native bees entering the lean months of fall.Shop Our Floral Collection
Transform your space with our curated selection of designer floral throw pillows
Visit Full StoreBotanical Information
Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to very light partial shade; performs best in open, sunny sites
Water
Low; thrives in dry, sandy conditions with minimal water; poor drainage can be fatal
Soil
Sandy, Dry, Well-drained, Low fertility, Acidic to neutral
Expert Growing Tips
Sow seeds directly in fall in dry, sandy, well-drained soil; seeds require no stratification
A prolific self-seeder — thin seedlings in spring to prevent overcrowding
Do not amend soil with compost or fertilizer; this plant thrives in poor, dry conditions
Plants are fragrant — leaves smell of a pleasant lemon-mint when crushed
Named the 2025 North Carolina Wildflower of the Year — excellent for native seed mixes in the eastern US
Individual flowers are short-lived (morning only) but each plant produces hundreds to thousands over a long season
Sticky stems and leaves are characteristic; handle with care to avoid sap on clothing
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Native plant wildflower gardens and meadows
- Pollinator and bee-habitat gardens
- Sandy, dry-soil borders where little else thrives
- Naturalized garden edges and informal cottage garden settings
- Late-season color when few other natives are blooming
Traditional Uses
- Used historically by various eastern Native American peoples as a medicinal herb; specific applications varied by tribe and region
- The aromatic mint-family foliage was used in some traditional remedies, though no widely documented modern medicinal uses exist
- The pleasant lemony-mint scent when leaves are crushed suggests aromatic compounds consistent with other Lamiaceae members
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Bluecurls
What does bluecurls flower symbolize?
Bluecurls symbolizes creativity, individuality, and the surprising beauty found in overlooked places. Its intricate arching stamens and violet blooms speak to quiet wonder — the delight of discovering something extraordinary where you least expected it.
Why are bluecurls flowers so short-lived?
Individual Bluecurls flowers open only in the morning and drop their petals by midday. However, this is offset by the plant's extraordinary productivity — a healthy plant produces hundreds to thousands of blooms throughout the season, providing a continuous nectar source for pollinators from August through November.
Is bluecurls easy to grow?
Yes, in the right conditions — it thrives in dry, sandy, well-drained soil in full sun with little to no fertilization. It is a prolific self-seeder and will naturally return year after year in suitable spots. It struggles in rich, moist, or clay-heavy soils.
Is bluecurls a good pollinator plant?
Excellent — it is one of the best late-season native plants for bees. The long curved stamens are adapted to deposit pollen on bees as they crawl into the flowers, and the abundance of blooms makes it a critical food source for native bees heading into fall when many other flowers are done.
What does bluecurls smell like?
The leaves and stems have a pleasant lemon-mint fragrance when crushed, owing to the aromatic compounds typical of the mint family (Lamiaceae). The scent is fresh and clean rather than pungent, making the plant agreeable to handle in the garden.
Where does bluecurls grow naturally?
Bluecurls is native to eastern North America, growing naturally in dry, sandy open woodlands, pine flatwoods, sandhills, and disturbed areas from southern Maine south to Florida and west to Texas and Missouri. It is especially common in the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
Share This Flower
Explore More Beautiful Flowers
Discover other flowers with similar meanings, characteristics, or cultural significance.
Verbena
Verbena officinalis / Verbena bonariensis
Verbena is a versatile flower with clusters of small, colorful blooms on tall stems. Known for its long blooming period and attraction to butterflies.
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Bee Balm is a vibrant native perennial with shaggy, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Its aromatic leaves smell like bergamot orange and make a delightful tea, earning it the name "Oswego Tea."
Blue Jacaranda Flower
Jacaranda mimosifolia
Blue Jacaranda is one of the world's most spectacular flowering trees, transforming entire streets and hillsides into rivers of violet-blue in spring. Native to South America but now iconic across every warm-climate city on earth, from Pretoria to Lisbon to Los Angeles, it is the defining floral emblem of spring in the subtropical world.