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Baby-blue-eyes Nemophila menziesii

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
nee-MOF-ih-lah men-ZEE-see-eye
Description

This is an annual that grows best in cool summer climates where nighttime temperatures consistently dip below 65 degrees F. In hot summer climates with cold winters, sow seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost date for bloom from spring until the heat of summer arrives. In hot climates with mild winters (USDA Zones 8-10), sow seed in late summer and late fall for winter to spring bloom. Plants will self-seed in the garden in optimum conditions.  It tolerates light foot traffic.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#nectar plant#fall interest#specialized bees#summer flowers#cool weather plant#pollinator plant#foot traffic tolerant#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#annual#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#nectar plant#fall interest#specialized bees#summer flowers#cool weather plant#pollinator plant#foot traffic tolerant#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#annual#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Nemophila
    Species:
    menziesii
    Family:
    Boraginaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico
    Distribution:
    AK , CA , NV , OR
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Nemophila support the following specialized bee: Hoplitis (Robertsonella) simplex.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Bright-blue, five-petaled, bowl-shaped flowers with white centers. These occur in clusters at branch tips.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Pinnately lobed gray-green leaves (to 2” long).
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Foot Traffic
    Problems:
    Weedy