Plant Gardens 101

Waterleaf family
Hydrophyllaceae
Nem-off’i-la. A North American genus comprising 11 species of annual herbs, only a few of garden interest.

Description
Some species are climbing, others are dwarf or trailing plants. All are hairy. Leaves usually much cut, alternate or opposite. Flowers showy, growing at the tips of the branches in clusters. Corolla bell-shaped, blue, white, purple, or spotted. Calyx of 5 spreading sepals alternating with additional leafy growths.

How to Grow  
These cool-weather wildflowers perform well in northern and high-altitude gardens. They provide good color before plants are killed by the heat or humidity. Where the climate is mild, sow seeds outdoors in the fall. Where winters are severe, wait until early spring. Grows quickly and easily, especially if given afternoon shade. Thin plants to 1 ft. (30 cm) apart.

Nemophila maculata
Five Spot . Trailing, to 1 ft. (30 cm) long. Flowers bell-shaped, 1 ¾ in. (4.5 cm) wide, white, with a bluish to purple spot at the tip of each petal. W. and cen. Calif. Hardy annual.

Nemophila Menziesii
Baby Blue-Eyes . Trailing, to 1 ft. (30 cm) long. Flowers bell-shaped, bright blue, to 1 in. (4 cm) wide. There are white, and blue and white forms. Good flower for naturalizing. Calif. Hardy annual.