Pennie Black (Nemophila Discoidalis) - Start Pennie Black seeds for this lovely low-growing annual that has a trailing habit. Nemophila Pennie Black, also known as Nemophila Baby Black Eyes, is a superb, easy to grow annual with masses of small, 1 inch deep violet to black flowers that are edged with white. The Victorians loved this tiny two-toned flower with light, airy foliage. The Nemophila Penny Black plant only reaches 4 inches in height and is slightly trailing, so it is perfect for containers, baskets, and window boxes, or use it as an edging for borders or a ground cover plant.

Nemophila Penny Black seeds can be sown directly outdoors in a prepared seedbed. Lightly cover the flower seed with soil and keep moist. Nemophila seeds can be started indoors in the late winter for transplanting outside once frost season is over. In milder climates, Nemophila Penny Black will reseed itself for the following season. Nemophila care includes deadheading the spent flowers to promote continual flowers and following a regular watering schedule to keep the plant from drying out.

Lovely Ground Cover

How To Grow

Baby Blue Eyes seeds can be started directly outdoors in the early spring once all danger of frost has passed. In regions with mild winters, these seeds can even be started in late February or early March. Sow these seeds into a prepared seedbed of loose soil. Sow seeds freely (4-5 seeds per plant) and cover with 1/8 inch of light soil. Keep the seeds moist until germination. Once seedlings are well-established, an application of water-soluble all-purpose plant food before blooming is beneficial.

• Environment: full sun to partial shade
• Soil: well-drained with pH 6.5-7.5
• Sowing rate: 4-5 seeds per plant

Plant Information

Baby Blue Eyes is an annual ground cover that grows in USDA zones 3 through 9. Its many blooms are excellent at attracting various pollinators. It readily self-seeds when the blooms die, making it likely to return each year with new plants.

• Bloom color: blue
• Bloom season: early spring to late summer
• Height: 4 inches

Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila Menziesii) - Grown quickly from Baby Blue Eyes seed, this annual flower is commonly found along the west coast of the United States. Baby Blue Eyes grows quickly from flower seeds and often is seen in the spring. It can be planted as an annual flower in USDA zones 3 - 9. Baby Blue Eyes Nemophila has simple flowers of true blue with white centers, and it is a profuse bloomer. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist but well-draining soil. It does not tolerate humidity well. The Baby Blue Eyes plant is known to re-seed itself for a display the following spring.

Nemophila Menziesii seeds can be started directly outdoors in the early spring. Prepare a seedbed with loosened soil that is weed free. The Baby Blue Eyes seed can be covered 1/8 of an inch with light soil. Keep the flower seeds moist until germination occurs. An application of water-soluble, all-purpose plant food before blooming is beneficial.