From a distance Nemesia actually looks
a lot like edging lobelia, with flowers that cover low-growing mounds of
foliage. If you are close to it the flowers might also remind you of orchids.
The top 4 petals form a fan with one large, sometimes lobed petal below. Whenever
temperatures are mild the plant will produce so many flowers that they almost
completely obscure the foliage.
Furthermore, Nemesia is actually a
small bedding plant with many uses in the garden. They can easily be use as
edging plants, ground covers, in mixed borders, woodland plantings and as
container or hanging basket plants. Some of the varieties grow to about a foot
(30 cm.) in height, but there are some that get as tall as 2 feet (60 cm.). Nemesia
are versatile little plants that offer a wide range of flower colors and some
come in bi-colors. The 2 most popular species are N. caerulea and N. strumosa.
Both of these plants have several synonyms. N. strumosa is a true annual that produces
one inch (2.5 cm.) white or blue flowers and grows up to a foot (30 cm.) tall.
N. caerulea is a tender perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones nine and ten,
but it is usually grown as an annual. The ½ inch (1.25 cm.) flowers bloom in pink,
purple, blue, and white on plants that grow up to two feet (60 cm.) tall with a
spread of about a foot (30 cm.).
Nemesia Flower Growing Conditions
Learning how to grow Nemesia flower
actually involves choosing a planting area where the soil is very rich in
organic matter and moist but well-drained. Too much water can easily lead to
stem rot. Full sun is best for the plant, but the plants also bloom longer in
warm climates if they get some afternoon shade. In addition, Nemesia plant grows
better when temperatures are cool. In areas with mild summer temperatures the
plants bloom from late spring until the first frost. In hot climates the plant does
well in early spring or fall, but flag in the heat of summer. You can also grow
the Nemesia plants as winter annuals in frost-free areas.
How to Care For Nemesia Plant
The older plant seedlings don’t
transplant well. If you want to purchase plants make sure you choose those with
a lot of buds that has only a few open flowers, to ease the transplanting
stress. If you start your own seeds indoors make sure you plant them in peat
pots filled with vermiculite. When the plant seedlings are about two inches (5
cm.) tall you can pinch out the growth tips to encourage a bushy growth habit.
Transplant the Nemesia into the garden when all danger of frost has passed by spacing
them four to six inches (10-15 cm.) apart. Disturb the roots as little as
possible and water them deeply after transplanting. You can add a layer of
organic mulch to insulate the roots from extremes in temperature and to help
the soil hold moisture. Once the plants are established in the garden, the
plants just need little care, except for watering to keep the soil moist. If
the plants stop blooming you can cut them back by one-third to bring them back
into bloom.
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