The winters here in Tyler, Texas, are usually moderate, but they’re still long, dull, and cold.
That’s why I long for spring to see my garden pop with colorful and gorgeous blooms of roses, tulips, and daffodils. The only color which remained missing till last year was blue. But I was fortunate enough to come across the perfect wildflowers that would go on to complete my garden.
One fine afternoon, my neighbor Hailey, an avid gardener like me, told me all about Nemophila and its ten plant species. She also shared a few tips to grow and propagate the seeds with ease. What’s more, I implemented her valuable insights and finally got to see my garden covered with beautiful blue flowers.
Howdy! I’m Stacy Smith, your friendly lawn and garden care expert. And today, I’m here to help you grow the annual baby blue eyes plant in your garden. But before that, I’ll be taking you through its physical features and more.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
I’ll begin this guide by discussing the origin of this unique and beautiful flower’s name, native to western North America (California and Oregon).
Based on the information I’ve gathered so far, Nemophila is a scientific name. It’s derived from the Greek words “nemos,” which refers to “wooded pasture” or “phileo,” and “glade,” meaning “to love.” In other words, it means “plants that love meadows” in Greek, while in Latin, it refers to “plants that love woods.”
Now, this is a genus of around ten different species of cup-shaped annuals in the family Boraginaceae, which bloom in spring and die by the end of summer. The flowers come in shades of blue, white, and purple, but sky blue is the color that dominates the genus. That’s why they’re commonly referred to as “baby blue eyes” (Nemophila menziesii).
Some of the popular species from this genus are the Nemophila parviflora, aka “small flower baby blue eyes,’’ and the Nemophila spatulata, aka “Sierra baby blue eyes.’’ On the other hand, Nemophila pulchella is known as “Eastwood’s baby blue eyes.”Now that I’ve highlighted the different species and origin of this beautiful five-petaled flower, it’s time I take you through its detailed description.
On that note, Nemophila is an annual cover plant that has succulent stems and flowers with five cup-shaped petals. It can grow 6 to 12 inches high and over a foot wide. But what I love the most about these flowers are their soft, romantic hues.
The plants start growing in late winter when the temperatures are moderate to create the first display of annual color after the snow and ice melt. And once spring sets, the gorgeous blue blooms enhance the visual appeal of any landscape.
That said, the color pattern of each baby blue eyes flower may differ, depending on their species. Their petals are either white with fine streaks of blue or dark purple with a white border. But my personal favorite is the plain purplish-blue flowers that feature white hearts.
Moving on, baby blue eyes can grow both on seashores and in semi-mountainous regions. During spring, they naturally grow from seeds sown in fall, breaking the monotony and harshness of the cold winter months.
In areas like Texas, where it doesn’t really snow much, the seeds can be sown even in late winters. However, you have to make sure that the region is only moderately cold with warm soils up to nearly 60 degrees F.
You can easily plant baby blue eyes seeds in your garden, provided there’s sufficient open ground. Also, remember that the plant grows well in fresh and well-drained areas in semi-shade, where the soil is acidic and remains cool during the summers. That’s why it’s important to sow the seeds under a heated shelter early in the season.
If you plan on using pots and planters, make sure that the container is at least 30 cm in diameter or length for the plants to develop well. But if you ask me, I prefer waiting until the soil is warm before planting the baby blue eyes plant in the ground in April or May.
It’s important to note that the plant doesn’t transplant well, so there’s no point in sowing the seeds in a pot and then moving it to the ground. Even if you do, necessary measures need to be taken, which I’ll be highlighting in the next section of this guide.
I’ve tried growing baby blue eyes plants under shrubs and in borders combined with other lower plants, such as snapdragon, tagetes, and alyssum. And I’ve always been happy after seeing the vibrant blue hues covering my garden beds, signifying the beginning of spring.
In this section, I’ll be sharing a few tips and tricks that will help you grow baby blue eyes plants successfully in your garden. So, let’s get going.
As you already know, baby blue eyes is an annual plant that blooms throughout spring until the end of summer. It’s best suited for hardiness zones 2 to 10. But you can also sow the seeds in late summer for flowers to bloom through the winter. However, this can only be done if you live in warmer regions.
Now, if you’re planning to plant Nemophila outdoors, it’s best to grow it under the sun or in partial shade. The plant can also survive in shaded areas where it gets a few hours of sun per day.
It’s rarely grown indoors owing to its small size. But even then, if you wish to plant it indoors, make sure that you avoid keeping it under direct sunlight. North, east, and west-facing windows should provide ample sunlight to keep the baby blue eyes plant alive throughout the year.
Most gardeners and homeowners, including me, prefer growing this plant from seeds. Remember, it’s a fast-growing plant, but it doesn’t grow very big; typically, reaching six to eight inches in height.
However, its thin, delicate stems can quickly spread, covering a lot of space. That’s why I mostly use them as a ground cover in my garden. When the flowers bloom, the stems and leaves are almost entirely hidden, providing the stunning blue flowering landscape that every gardener strives to achieve.
You can also obtain a thicker spread of these flowers by simply pinching the tips of the plants.
Baby blue eyes require plenty of water during their active growth stage. So, I make it a point to water frequently, especially during germination and the first six weeks of the plant’s life. Just make sure you water the garden or container gently so that the seeds don’t wash away before germinating.
I don’t usually apply fertilizers, but you can add them to the soil before sowing the seeds to help the plant grow more. Once the flowers bloom, check the soil to see if it needs more water. It’s recommended to add water before the soil is completely dry; otherwise, the lack of water may restrict plant growth.
Just make sure it doesn’t get saturated as overwatering makes the plant susceptible to diseases. Furthermore, there’s no need to keep watering the plants when the flowers die.
Nemophila grow perfectly in well-drained soil that doesn’t hold water at their roots, so when using a planter or window box, ensure that they have drainage holes. This prevents the risk of overwatering, which deteriorates the plant’s health.
The seedlings can later be transplanted to their permanent home (soil). However, you need to be cautious while doing this as the plant has delicate roots. Make sure you leave soil on the roots and avoid disturbing them as much as possible.
That’s why I suggest that you refrain from transplanting; it’s better to sow the seeds directly in the open ground of your garden. To do this, prepare the soil by weeding finely and sow sparsely so that there’s not much thinning to do later.
I usually sow the seeds in 0.5 cm furrows and cover them with soil. These seeds will sprout within no time and grow in 15 to 20 days, provided you keep the soil fresh by watering regularly during germination.
What I love the most about growing baby blue eyes in my garden is the fact that it doesn’t need much grooming and maintenance. The plant grows from seeds, blooms, and then the flowers die. By the end of the summer, you’ll be able to pull the plant and clean the remaining foliage.
It’s difficult to obtain seeds directly from the baby blue eyes plants, but it’s not impossible. All you have to do is cut the flowers once the plant blooms and allow them to dry in a paper bag. After a week, shake the bag and pick out the larger pieces of chaff.
You can save the seeds until the next spring and re-sow them to watch your garden filled with beautiful blue blooms.
I’m sure that you’ll agree that growing these plants at home or outdoors is easy. And after going through my tips, rest assured that you’ll be able to grow baby blue eyes without any hassle. However, there are two issues that come into play during its growth process, requiring immediate attention.
Overwatering is a strict no-no; if you notice the leaves and soil getting too wet, refrain from watering. Otherwise, your beautiful flower plant may end up dying.
Also, keep in mind that Nemophila may develop powdery mildew when grown near mildew-prone plants. While mildew can’t be removed, the plant can. So, make sure you remove sick plants to prevent the problem from spreading to other shrubs and plants.
Coming to pests, that’s a rare problem for this annual flower plant. After all, it doesn’t even live long enough to attract any significant threat or disease.
However, aphids can be an issue so ensure that these insects aren’t harming the plant in any way. If they are, use a garden hose to tackle the problem. You can also consider making a soapy solution to get rid of the insects if water alone isn’t enough.
Nemophila is grown primarily because of its beautiful blue and white flowers that provide vibrancy to any landscape. It doesn’t produce a strong fragrance, but growing the plant is beneficial for decorative purposes.
Growing baby blue eyes in a hanging basket or window box will add more color to your porch or patio. But it’s better to use them as ground cover to make the garden look more appealing.
You can also plant them in garden beds paired with taller plants like tulips and even native wildflowers. They’ll add dimension to the area while hiding the tulip bulbs.
With that, I’ll now conclude my informative guide on growing baby blue eyes. I hope that you’ve been able to gain all the required information related to the plant.
Nemophila offers a variety of attractive flower species that will make your garden stand out. And growing any of these wildflowers isn’t a difficult task, provided you follow my brief yet comprehensive guide.
They can be grown outdoors in open grounds to border garden beds or add dimension to your overall landscape. Just make sure that the seeds get optimum sunlight, sufficient water, and air for them to germinate within ten to fifteen days.
That’s all for now. I’ll be back with more such useful guides to help you transform your garden into a picturesque sight. Till then, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any other queries or concerns related to the topic.
I’m always here to help! Take care!
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