Nemophila menziesii

RHS Plant Profile
baby blue eyes
Plants for pollinators
Annual Biennial

A fleshy-stemmed, downy annual to 20cm tall, with small, lobed mid-green leaves, and long-stalked, saucer-shaped bright blue flowers to 4cm across, with a lighter blue centre often stained with white or yellow, with darker spots or marks on the petals, in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

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 Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Boraginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Nemophila are spreading or erect annuals with pinnately divided or simple, opposite leaves and bowl-shaped blue or white flowers in the upper leaf axils in summer
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Must be watered during dry periods in the summer to promote flowering

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in-situ in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Garden edging
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free