Description
Omphalodes – Navelwort –
There are about 28 species of annuals, biennial, and perennial some which are evergreen or semi evergreen, in this genus. They occur in a wide range of habitats in Europe, Northern Afria, Asia and Mexico. They have clusters of simple leaves either basal tufts or arranged alternately on stems. In spring and summer, they produce blue or white flowers, similar to forget-me-nots (Myosotis) each with a short tube and 5 spreading lobes, usually in terminal racemes or cymes, sometime held singly. Most are shade loving, and used as a groundcover in a border, or rock or woodland garden. Use O. linifolia in an annual border or for cut flowers.
Most of the perennials thrive in moist, moderately fertile, humus rich soil in shade or partial shade. Carefully divide perennial in early spring.
Very prone to slugs and snails.
O. linifolia – Venus’s Navelwort – This fairly fast growing, erect annual, from Southwestern Europe grows 12-16″ tall and 6-10″ wide. It produces narrowly lance shaped to spoon shaped, sparsely white hairy, glaucous basal leaves, to 4″ long, and smaller, very narrow, stalkless stem leaves. From spring to summer it bears loose, terminal racemes of 5-15 tiny, slightly scented, white or very occasionally pale blue flowers, to ½” across. Self seeds readily. Prefers full sun in alkaline soil.
Zones
