Latin heliotropium, from Greek hEliotropion,
from hElio- heli- sun + tropos turn;
“to turn to the sun”

From Floridata.com...

"There are about 250 species of Heliotropium; this is one of the most commonly cultivated species and it is usually just called "heliotrope." Common heliotrope is an evergreen soft-wooded sub-shrub that is often grown as an annual bedding plant. It is rounded and bushy and usually stays no more than 12-18 in (30.5-45.7 cm) tall with a similar spread, but can get as tall as 4 ft (1.2 m). The elliptic leaves are wrinkled, hairy, 1-3 in (2.5-7.6 cm) long, and the leaf veins are conspicuously impressed. The violet, purple or white tubular flowers are only a quarter inch long but are borne in showy many flowered clusters 3-4 in (7.6- cm) across. The flowers open alternately, on the left, then the right, unfolding from coiled clusters of buds. They are strongly scented. Among the many named selections are 'Alba' with white flowers that smell like vanilla; 'Marine', a very bushy compact plant to 18 in (45.7 cm) tall with deep violet-blue flowers in clusters up to 10 in (25.4 cm) across; and 'Lord Robert' with purple tinged leaves. The Regal Hybrids have rose and lavender flowers."





This is a photo of the one we have planted in the old rusty kettle in the herb garden.

I like to set them in raised containers, so you can get an easy whiff of their fragrance. It's incredible. The most common description, because of the two top fragrance notes, is that they smell like cherry pie with vanilla ice cream. Gotta love that.