The Nierembergia plant is also known as
cupflower, the plant is actually a heat-loving compact mounding plant that is
smothered in flowers from early summer through fall. The Nierembergia plant is
a tender perennial that survives only in zones seven to ten, the plant is
easily grown as an annual in colder areas.
Furthermore, the genus Nierembergia that
is native to Argentina, is named for Juan Eusebio Nieremberg, a seventeen
century Spanish Jesuit theologian and naturalist. The taxonomy of this genus
(in the potato family or Solanaceae) is rather confused, so the species for
cupflower may be listed as caerulea, frutescens, hippomanica or scoparia. The Nierembergia
plant grows neat, spreading mounds about twelve to fifteen inches across. The
fine textured foliage is produced on multiple stems, with stiff, linear leaves
to ½ long. The 1 inch white or bluish-purple star-shaped, saucer-like flowers
have lemon yellow centers. Their color does not fade even in the brightest sun.
Nierembergia plant can be use for
edging, in borders, rock gardens, or containers, including hanging baskets and
window boxes. The Nierembergia plant thrives in this hot environment, spilling
out to soften the edges of the stones and hiding the scraggly bases of the
other plants.
You can start the Nierembergia plant from
seed sown indoors eight to ten weeks before your date of average last frost.
Barely cover the nierembergia seeds. The nierembergia seeds should germinate
within two to three weeks at seventy degree Fahrenheit. Keep moist until
emergence, and then the plants can be kept on the dry side. The young nierembergia
plants grow very slowly, but grow more quickly once they are transplanted.
Transplant outdoors six to twelve inches apart (after hardening off) just
before last frost date in moist, organically rich, well-drained soil in full
sun. Mulch the plant to help retain moisture and also keep the soil cool. The nierembergia
plants are drought tolerant once they are established. The plant stem cuttings
can be taken in late summer to hold the plants over the winter.
Nierembergia Varieties
The ‘Mont Blanc’ variety: This
particular variety is a profuse bloomer with brilliant white flowers on the plants
only six inches high that spread to twelve inches wide. The small cup-shaped
flowers face upwards. The ‘Mont Blanc’ was an All-America Selection winner in
1993. This variety has better heat tolerance than the other species.
The ‘Purple Robe’ variety: The ‘Purple
Robe’ variety has blue-violet flowers. The plants are about eight inches tall.
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