{"product_id":"butterfly-pea-clitoria-ternatea","title":"Butterfly Pea - Clitoria ternatea","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cspan\u003eButterfly Pea — Clitoria ternatea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA beautiful climbing plant with extraordinary deep-blue flowers that look almost too vivid to be real.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eButterfly pea (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClitoria ternatea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) is a warm-season climber grown for its striking flowers, which can be harvested and dried to make a naturally blue herbal infusion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd a little lemon juice and watch the colour change from blue to purple or pink. A wonderful plant for anyone who enjoys growing ingredients for their own kitchen and herbal teas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy I Grow It\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI love plants that are both beautiful and useful, and butterfly pea is a perfect example.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowers are absolutely gorgeous, but the main reason I grow it is to harvest and dry them for herbal teas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere's something rather lovely about collecting flowers from the garden, drying them and storing them away to enjoy long after the growing season has finished.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd the extraordinary blue colour is a bonus!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eButterfly pea flowers can be used fresh or dried to make a beautiful blue herbal infusion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo make a simple tea, steep a few dried flowers in hot water for several minutes until the water develops a rich blue colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnjoy it as it is, or add a squeeze of lemon juice to turn the infusion purple.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowers have a mild, earthy flavour, so they also work beautifully blended with other herbs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eButterfly pea flowers can also be used to colour drinks, ice cubes and other culinary creations naturally.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarvesting and drying:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pick freshly opened, clean flowers and dry them thoroughly in a warm, airy place away from direct sunlight, or use a dehydrator on a low setting. Store the completely dried flowers in an airtight container away from light and moisture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the Garden\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eButterfly pea is a fast-growing climbing plant with delicate green foliage and vivid blue flowers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt enjoys warmth and sunshine and can be grown over a trellis, arch or other climbing support.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn frost-free tropical climates it can grow as a perennial, but in cooler parts of New Zealand it's generally best treated as a warm-season annual or protected from winter cold.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts flowers are attractive to visiting pollinators and can be harvested regularly throughout the flowering season.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMature height:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 1.5–3 m with support\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpread:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Depends on the support provided\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Summer into autumn in suitable conditions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth habit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tender climbing perennial, often grown as an annual in cooler climates\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePosition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Full sun, preferably in a warm, sheltered location.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoil:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Well-draining soil with moderate fertility.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Plant outside once frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 30–45 cm between plants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatering:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Water regularly while establishing, allowing the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e A little compost is generally sufficient; avoid excessive nitrogen fertiliser.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSupport:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provide a trellis, arch or climbing frame.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Guide young shoots onto their support as they grow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarvesting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pick flowers regularly during the growing season.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinter:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Protect from frost or grow as a seasonal plant in colder areas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat You'll Receive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne pot containing \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ea young, seed-grown butterfly pea plant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ready to grow on.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith warmth, sunshine and a climbing support, it can develop into a beautiful flowering vine, providing flowers to enjoy in the garden and harvest for herbal teas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"A Garden Between","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68363330486495,"sku":null,"price":7.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/8279\/7023\/files\/Screenshot2026-11-03at8.28.30AM_5fc5f272-1d73-4661-9663-4f4a58f66971.png?v=1793647796","url":"https:\/\/agardenbetween.com\/products\/butterfly-pea-clitoria-ternatea","provider":"A Garden Between","version":"1.0","type":"link"}