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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 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

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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