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Annual Biennial
Nemophila menziesii 'Penny Black'![RHS Plants for pollinators](/assets/styles/images/icons/RHS_Bee_YELLOW-REGISTERED.png)
![RHS Plants for pollinators](/assets/styles/images/icons/RHS_Bee_YELLOW-REGISTERED.png)
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
![](https://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselectorimages/detail/WSYD0008923.jpg)
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
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
H5Botanical 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
Get involved
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