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Annual Biennial

Nemophila menziesii 'Penny Black'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A fleshy-stemmed, downy annual about 20cm tall, with toothed grey-green leaves, and covered with 2cm wide, deep purple to almost black flowers edged with white, produced in summer

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple White Green
Summer Purple White Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Boraginaceae
Native to the UK
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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