Must-have plants: Baby Blue Eyes

June 10, 12:07 PMGardening ExaminerRobin Ripley

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Baby Blue Eyes, Nemophila menziesii, are hardy
annuals that grow easily throughout the U.S.

There are many reasons to visit public gardens. Aside from the joy, beauty and relaxation of the outdoor experience, visiting public gardens is also the perfect way to learn about new plants you might want to try in your own garden.

In a good public garden, the plants are usually well-maintained, in the proper location to thrive and integrated into a setting that best sets them off. In other words--a real life example of how the plant could look and where you might need to place it. Remember: right plant-right place.

I was reminded of this as I was busily jotting down the common and Latin names of plants during my recent visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden. That is where I fell in love with Baby Blue Eyes, Nemophila menziesii.

The flowers, which grow as wildflowers in parts of California, were massed in a bed to themselves in dappled shade. Even from a distance, their bounteous blooms and dazzling blue color caught the attention of visitors strolling by. Everyone seemed to stop and marvel at the unbelievable color of these flowers. Few people I talked with were familiar with them.

Baby Blue Eyes grow as an annual and can be planted from seed. They will need a light, sandy soil and regular watering. They grow about four to six inches high and about eight to 12 inches wide at maturity. I suggest buying lots of seed and direct seeding. They would also do well in hanging baskets and along borders.

I despair that it's already June and I don't have any of these started in my garden. Nevertheless, I have ordered four packets and will direct seed as soon as they arrive, keeping my fingers crossed that they are also fast growers. With the stunning color and generous flowers, I consider these a must-have plant!

Baby Blue Eyes seeds are available from Victory Seed Company.

Thank you for reading! You can reach me at gardeningexaminer@gmail.com and can follow me on Twitter at @RobinRipley.

Did you also know I write about fresh foods? You can read my food columns at the D.C. Fresh Foods Examiner.

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