Nemophila menziesii Hook. & Arn.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘A truly beautiful and desirable little annual, a native of California, which found its way into our collections through the unparalleled labours of the lamented Douglas over that part of the world.’  [MB p.151/1836].  Nemophila insignis grandiflora is ‘a very beautiful trailing variety with comparatively light foliage and studded over with thousands of bright azure-blue flowers, three quarters of an inch broad.’  [Gard. Chron. 1852].  All Nemophilas are ‘pretty plants, and worth cultivating.  They may be sown in the open ground.  They delight in a moist, shady situation, and peat or vegetable soil.’  ‘The Nemophilas are all difficult plants to preserve in gardens.  N. phacelioides has long disappeared; and we fear this brilliant Californian species, which flowered in August 1833, in the garden of the Horticultural Society, will scarcely be found more manageable.’  [BR f.1713/1834].  Nemophila insignis was introduced to Britain in 1822.  [Don].  BM t.3485/1836.

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [H.155/1843].

Notes