Heliotrope
Heliotropium arborescens
Family: Boraginaceae · Also called Cherry Pie Plant, Turnsole, Heliotropium corymbosum, Heliotropium peruvianum var. voltaireanum, Heliotropium voltaireanum
Powdery & Soft · Summer bloomer
Heliotrope is the cherry pie flower, dense clusters of tiny purple blooms that smell unmistakably of cherry pie, vanilla, and almond. This extraordinary scent made it one of the most sought-after garden plants of the Victorian era and a key ingredient in classic perfumery. The flowers deepen to rich purple as they age.
devotion, faithfulness, eternal love
In the Victorian language of flowers, heliotrope means “Devoted attachment and I turn to thee”. Heliotrope was one of the most popular bedding plants of the Victorian era, entire beds were planted for their cherry-pie fragrance. The name means 'sun-turner' in Greek, as the flowers were once thought to follow the sun. In the language of flowers, heliotrope represents devoted, faithful love, turning always toward the beloved.
Did You Know?
The cherry-pie scent of heliotrope comes from a compound called heliotropin (piperonal), which is also used in artificial cherry and vanilla flavoring. Sadly, modern cultivars bred for compact growth and deeper color have often lost the potent fragrance of Victorian-era varieties. Seek out heritage cultivars for the best scent.
Dry hillsides and rocky areas of Peru
Heliotrope is native to Peru. It naturally grows in dry hillsides and rocky areas of peru.
Scent Profile
“A distinctive cherry-pie fragrance with vanilla, almond, and powdery notes, sweet, nostalgic, and utterly unique in the flower world.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameHeliotropium arborescens
- FamilyBoraginaceae
- Native ToPeru
- Bloom SeasonSummer
- LifespanPerennial
Cultural Significance
Heliotrope was one of the most popular bedding plants of the Victorian era, entire beds were planted for their cherry-pie fragrance. The name means 'sun-turner' in Greek, as the flowers were once thought to follow the sun. In the language of flowers, heliotrope represents devoted, faithful love, turning always toward the beloved.