Nemesia caerulea
dark sky-blue nemesia
N. caerulea is a tender, compact, mat-forming perennial, often grown as an annual, that reaches a height of around 50cm. The erect to spreading stems bear lance-shaped leaves, up to 3.5cm long, and two-lipped, tubular flowers in shades of blue, pink and white, with yellow throats, from spring into autumn
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Pink White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Pink White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Blue Pink White | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Nemesia can be annuals, perennials or sub-shrubs of bushy habit, with simple, opposite leaves and 2-lipped flowers in short racemes or solitary in the leaf axils
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S Africa Lesotho
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Flowering stops in dry weather unless watered freely
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
Pruning
Cut back stems after flowering
Pests
May be troubled by aphids
Diseases
May suffer from foot and root rots in wet soils
Get involved
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