Description
Nemophila –
There are about 11 species of quick growing, spreading to erect, slender, fleshy stemmed annuals in this genus. They occur in Western North America, from coastal sands to chaparral and redwood forest. The mid green or gray green leaves are opposite, lobed or pinnate, ovate to rounded, spoon shaped, or oblong, and toothed. In summer it bears small, 5 petaled, saucer or bell shaped, blue or white flowers held singly. Grow in a border, or in a window box or other container.
Grow in fertile, moisture retentive but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Ceases to flower in hot weather. Protect from wind.
Prone to powdery mildew, downy mildew, and aphids.
N. menziesii ‘Pennie Black’ – N. insignis ‘Pennie Black’ – Baby Blue-eyes -This fleshy stemmed, downy annual from California grows 8″ tall and 12″ wide. It produces 9 to 11 pinnate, toothed, gray-green leaves, oval to oblong in outline, 3/4-2″ long. In summer it bears solitary. Long stalked, cowl shaped, deep purple almost black flowers to 1 1/4″ across, with scalloped silvery white edges. Great groundcover in rock gardens and around edges.
Hardiness 12-1
