Guide to growing garden plants - Nemophila Baby Blue Eyes
Nemophila is a genus of hardy annuals that reach from 15 to 30 cm in height.
This makes Nemophila ideal for use in rock gardens or at the front of borders.
They bloom from the middle of summer until the first frost of winter, and carry cup shaped flowers, with white petals that have blue veins and spots.
Some common names for Nemophila include Baby Blue Eyes and Five Spot.
Nemophila pedunculata - Littlefoot nemophila by Franco Folini; creative commons.
Nemophila by Titanium22; creative commons.
Quick Nemophila Growing Guide and Facts
Common Names: Baby Blue Eyes, Five Spot, Littlefoot.
Life Cycle: Hardy annual.
Height: 6 to 16 inches (15 to 40 cm).
Native: North America.
Growing Region: Zones 2 to 9.
Flowers: Summer until first frost; or late winter (warm areas).
Flower Details: Blue, white, purple. Often spotted at the tips. Veined. Cup-shaped. Five petals.
Foliage: Simple. Lobed. Pinnate. Toothed.
Sow Outside: Cover seed. Before last frost (cool areas) or in autumn (warm areas). Spacing 4 to 16 inches (10 to 40 cm).
Sow Inside: Use peat pots. Germination time: one to three weeks. Temperature 55°F (13°C). Seven or eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements: Full sunlight or light shade. Good drainage. Soil pH 5 to 8. Moist soil. Light soils. Cool soils. Cooling mulch. Regular watering.
How to grow Baby Blue Eyes, Nemophila
The seeds of Baby Blue Eyes and other Nemophila should be sown at the beginning of spring before the last frost. Once sown lightly cover the Nemophila seeds with soil. They can grow in either partially shaded or sunny areas of the garden, and have a preference for a light soil, that is cool and moist and of pH 5 to 8. Baby Blue Eyes and other Nemophila will not grow well in humid conditions.
If you plan to first grow Nemophila species indoors then start about 7 weeks in advance. The seeds should be sown in peat pots and take about two or three weeks to germinate at 12 degrees Celsius. Once ready transplant Nemophila about 10 to 20 cm (small Nemophila species) or 30 to 40 cm (large Nemophila varieties) apart.
Caring for baby blue eyes and other Nemophila plants
Once established Baby Blue Eyes and other Nemophila are easy to look after, they should be watered frequently to keep the soil moist. It is also necessary to keep the soil and roots of Nemophila cool by supplying mulch.