Hello Florida gardeners from zone 9b in Port St Lucie.
I purchased this small shrub at the local Home Depot because I was drawn to its lovely small blue flowers and dark textured leaves. It was labeled a full sun perennial but there was no name and of course no one there that knew.
I am creating another butterfly garden and purchased these as companion accents to a duranta small tree. Please see the attached pics; I would like to know what this plant is before I go ahead and put it in the ground.
Thank you all!
Gilda

It sort of reminds me of a Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' but the flowers on yours seem to be a deeper shade. It might be a new cultivar, it could be cultural (light, fertilizer, etc.) or I could be completely wrong on the ID.
Wouldn't be the first time. LOL

ardesia said:It sort of reminds me of a Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' but the flowers on yours seem to be a deeper shade. It might be a new cultivar, it could be cultural (light, fertilizer, etc.) or I could be completely wrong on the ID.
Wouldn't be the first time. LOL

Thanks Ardesia! I'll look online for that plant, see what I find.
It's quite lovely with an interesting texture to the leaves. The leaves and stems are dark with stems being almost black. I love the tiny blooms and the contrast these shrubs will bring to the garden. I am however, hoping to find care advice.

Living in South Florida has taught me to be cautious of what I plant because everything grows with a crazy boom. Plants can grow fast and furious so I'm careful to avoid any invasive or high maintenance (trimming) plants.

Hi Gil. I agree with Alice's ID on your plant. I've planted it many times and found out the hard way that it actually likes to be shaded in the afternoon, likes regular watering and doesn't ever get anywhere near big enough to be called a "shrub". I've never had them persist more than a couple of years in my garden here, either.

Goes to show you not to believe anything you read on a plant label especially on a plant from a big box store. The most important thing to NOT believe is when the label says "full sun". That might mean the plant will *survive* full sun here and do great in full sun in Montana, but full sun in Florida is much too fierce for a lot of plants. Even roses like to be shaded through the middle of the day here.

So by all means plant them but put them on the east side of your Duranta or something else taller, so they'll be shaded in the afternoons and they should do fine.

Here's our plant database entry for your plant:
Spur Flower (Plectranthus Mona Lavender)

It does say "partial or dappled shade" and also that it only gets a max of 24in. tall.

Plant: Spur Flower (Plectranthus Mona Lavender)

Hello again! Yes, this seems the correct ID for this lovely shrub and I've noted the issue with our long hot summer sun so I'll plant behind/ beneath a new large Tri clump of Phoenix Robellini to offer some dappled or filtered sun.

I'm very excited and will post pictures of the completed planting area for your review. This new planting area will include a small Duranta tree, the Phoenix Robellini, some lantana, lemongrass, rosemary and full sun bromeliads. I also have some Pursalane to add a punch of bright color all summer long as a ground cover.
Of course I'll add some milkweed for the butterflies so between the birds and butterflies it will be fun to watch all the activity of nature in and around the area.

Thank you ALL for your help identifying this beauty!
Gilda

Don't forget to post photos when it is all planted. Sounds lovely.

Try not to plant too close to those palms, though Gilda. They have a huge, dense root ball and will steal all the water and nutrients from plants that are too close. You'll have to water your new plantings pretty often at first as well and that may not be great for the palms. Probably water by hand so you just get the new plants?