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Annual Biennial

Nemophila menziesii
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

baby blue eyes

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

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue White Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
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

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