Baby Blue Eyes

Nemophila menziesii

Baby Blue Eyes
Photo by Pam Morgan

Native Plant

Plant Category   Annual herb
Flowering Time   Spring
Fruiting Time   Summer
Planting Time   Spring, fall, winter
Where to Plant   Meadows, grassy places, canyons, open woodlands
Soil and Light   Loamy soil, full shade, part shade, full sun
Companion Plants   Poppy, Clarkias, Checkermallow, Dudleya
Wildlife   Moths, insects

Baby Blue Eyes

Nemophila menziesii

Nemophila menziesii is an herb easily grown from seed. Its cup-shaped blossom is cornflower blue etched with blue veins and a black dotted white center. It is of special value to native bees, butterflies, and many pollinating insects.

Baby Blue Eyes can be a lovely addition to a meadow, in the areas of a forest with an open area of light, on a cooler north slope, or in a bed where it can form a swath of blue. It does best when given afternoon shade.

Planting from seed can be more successful when sown in situ. Much like the California Poppy, it does not like its roots disturbed. Baby Blue Eyes reseeds well. To save seed, deadhead, and dry out in a brown paper bag once the blooming period ends. It prefers cool weather and does best when planted in the fall, but spring planting also works.