Nierembergia linariifolia

RHS Plant Profile
narrow-leaved cupflower

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Other common names

blue cups

Synonyms

Nierembergia caerulea
Nierembergia hippomanica
Nierembergia coerulea

Bedding

An erect, branching, downy-stemmed perennial, often grown as a summer annual, to 20cm tall. It bears small, pointed leaves and throughout summer bears a profusion of cup-shaped, purple-blue flowers with yellow eyes

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Solanaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Nierembergia can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with simple, alternate leaves and cup-shaped or tubular flowers in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Argentina

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sheltered site in moist but well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in autumn for spring flowering, or in spring for summer flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Bedding
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to virus diseases