From the Greek helios, “sun,” and trope, “turning,” thus meaning “sun-turning,” either a reference to the summer solstice when the first described species bloomed, or to the turning of flowers toward the sun, a characteristic of many species known as heliotropism
The wild version of this heliotrope comes from the Peruvian Andes. During the Victorian era in England, it became popular, and
many cultivars have been developed. Thomas Jefferson was among those who planted it, but the wild plant is not found in North America.
Identification: Plants are 1-1½′ (30-45 cm) in height (rarely up to 6′ (1.8 m), with deep
purple flowers that continue through much of the growing season. Not everybody agrees on
the flowers' scent, variously compared to vanilla, cherry pie, or even grape popsicles, but everybody
agrees that they smell great. Leaves are veined and rough, 2-3″ (5-7.6 cm) long, and sharp-tipped.