Laurentia fluviatilis, commonly called blue star creeper, is a diminutive Australian native that creeps across the ground like a living carpet, reaching just 1-2 inches tall while spreading 12-24 inches wide. Native to moist sandy soils along Australian streams and seepages, this semi-evergreen perennial produces delicate, five-petaled flowers in shades of blue throughout May and June. Hardy in zones 6-8, it thrives in full sun and tolerates the wet conditions that challenge many ground covers, making it an unexpectedly tough choice for soggy spots where other creepers fail.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-8
2in H x 24in W
—
Low
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Blue star creeper earns its common name from the tiny star-shaped flowers that pepper the foliage in late spring, creating a jewel-toned carpet across the garden floor. The leaves themselves are barely a quarter-inch long, arranged along creeping stems in a texture so fine it reads almost like moss from a distance. Once established, it handles both occasional drought and persistent moisture with equal grace, and its low-maintenance nature means you plant it and step back to watch it spread.
Laurentia excels as a ground cover, particularly in situations where moisture lingers. Its low creeping growth makes it valuable for softening the edges of ponds, stream banks, and rain gardens, while its ability to spread across moist slopes prevents erosion. The fine texture also works well in rock gardens and as edging along pathways where its dense mat can tolerate foot traffic once established.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Transplant rooted divisions or stem cuttings outdoors in spring after the last frost, spacing them 12-24 inches apart. Soil should be moist and well-draining sandy or rocky in composition.
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“This native of southern and southeastern Australia grew naturally in the moisture-rich edges of streams and seepage areas, where its creeping habit allowed it to colonize sandy, unstable soils that upright plants couldn't anchor themselves in. From these riparian origins in the Australian landscape, it traveled to temperate gardens worldwide, prized by gardeners who recognized its talent for stabilizing wet ground while adding delicate color.”