(Nemophila menziesii ‘Baby Black Eyes’)

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Baby Black Eyes is a cool weather annual trailing flower that is native to California which is commonly found growing in the western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 4” and features succulent stems, feathery lobed leaves, and deep violet to black 1” flowers that are outlined in white. This plant can be grown in containers and hanging baskets, it attracts bees and butterflies, and hummingbirds, and self sows!

  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Companion Planting
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Family: Boraginaceae

Genus: Nemophila

Species: menziesii

Variety: Baby Black Eyes

Also Known As: Penny Black or Pennie Black.

Native Range: California, Mexico Northwest​.

Introduced into: Czechoslovakia, Great Britain, Norway, Sweden.

Ease of Growing: Easy

Grown as: Annual
 
Maturity (Blooms): Early spring to late summer

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water: Medium

Soil Moisture: Medium

Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Attracts Bees & Butterflies and Hummingbirds. 

Containers?: Yes.

Height: 4”
 
Spacing: 6”

Sow Depth: 1/8"
 
USDA Zone: 3a-9b

Produces: succulent stems, feathery lobed leaves, and deep violet to black 1” flowers that are outlined in white

Garden Uses: Excellent choice for massed plantings, containers, and borders.
Direct sow in early spring, pressing lightly into the surface of the soil since this seed needs light to germinate. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination, which should occur within 10-20 days. When the seedlings can safely be handled, thin or transplant for wider spacing. For an early start, start the seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost and transplant outdoors.
Keep the young plants watered until they become established; mature plants tolerate drought well, though they will benefit from occasional watering. This annual grows quickly and dies with the first frost, though it may reseed for a new crop next year. Its neat, sprawling growth habit makes it an excellent choice for massed plantings, containers, and borders. Keep in mind that this plant does not do well in excessive heat and dislikes being transplanted. These blooms attract butterflies and bees.
These short-lived blossoms do not make good cut flowers, and are best enjoyed in the wild.
​After the flowers fade, small pods will form that eventually open at the top to reveal the ripe seeds. Gather the seeds as soon as the pods have opened; watch them carefully to prevent loss. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place.
This species works very well with other annual or herbaceous perennial wildflowers in a meadow garden, including the closely related Five Spot (Nemophila maculata), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Clarkia sp., Chinese Houses (Collinsia heterophylla), Gilia sp., Lupinus sp., Penstemon sp., Phacelia sp., and many others. Also works well with geophytes such as Brodiaea sp., Mariposa Lily (Calochortus sp.) and Dichelostemma sp., as well as various catcus and succulent species such as Dudleya sp.

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(Nemophila maculata ‘Five Spot’)

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Five Spot is a native cool weather annual that can be commonly found growing in woodlands and grasslands throughout California, Oregon, and Utah. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1' and features upward facing, cup=shaped, flowers that have 5 white petals that are marked with a purple spot at their ends. This plant is not only beautiful, but it also attracts bees and butterflies to your garden! 
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(Eschscholzia caespitosa ‘Dwarf’)

Dwarf California Poppy is a native cool weather annual flower that can be commonly found growing in dry flats, grasslands, and bushy slopes throughout California and Oregon. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 4-12” and features 4 petal cup-shaped golden-orange flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
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(Eschscholzia californica ‘Carmine King’)

Carmine King California Poppy is a native cool weather short-lived perennial flower that can be commonly found growing in open areas, hillsides, and along roads throughout the western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-15” and features bluish green fern-like leaves and 3” 4 petal cup-shaped pinkish red flowers. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, is both edible and medicinal, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
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(Eschscholzia californica ‘Golden West’)

Golden West California Poppy is a native cool weather short-lived perennial flower that can be commonly found growing in costal bluffs and inland valleys throughout the western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-16” and features bluish green fern-like leaves and 3” 4 petal cup-shaped golden orange flowers. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, is both edible and medicinal, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
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(Eschscholzia californica ‘Ivory Castle’)

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(Eschscholzia californica ‘Mikado’)

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(Eschscholzia californica ‘Orange’)

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(Eschscholzia californica ‘White Linen’)

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(Clarkia pulchella ‘Deerhorn’)

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(Collinsia heterophylla ‘Chinese Houses’)

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(Gilia tricolor 'Bird's Eye')

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(Lupinus succulentus ‘Arroyo’)

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(Lupinus nanus ‘Sky Mix’)

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(Penstemon palmeri ‘Palmer's’)

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(Penstemon strictus ‘Rocky Mountain’)

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(Penstemon Hartwegii ‘Scarlet Queen’)

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