Californian Bluebell

Californian Bluebell (Nemophila) - Pretty Californian hardy annuals of much value for our gardens. The species from which the cultivated varieties have been derived are N. insignis, N. atomaria, N. discoidalis, and N. maculata. N. insignis has sky-blue flowers, and its varieties are grandiflora, alba, purpurea-rubra, and striata. N. atomaria has white flowers speckled with blue. Its varieties are coelestis (sky-blue margin), oculata (pale blue and black centre), and alba nigra (white and black centre). N. discoidalis has dark purple flowers edged with white, and the flowers of its variety elegans are maroon margined with white. N. maculata has large white flowers blotched with violet, and its variety purpurea is of a mauve color. These kinds are all worth growing. They thrive in any soil, and are of the simplest culture. In spring some pretty combinations may be effected by arranging the masses in harmonising colors. All Nemophilas are well suited for edgings and for filling small beds, as they are compact in growth. The insignis section should always be preferred to the others. Seeds should be sown early in August for spring flowering, and in April for summer flowering. To secure a good display of flower, however, the best time to sow is in August, and the soil should be a light one, where the seed can germinate freely, and where the plants will not become too robust before winter sets in. If the seed be sown where the plants are to flower, the results will be most satisfactory; but if transplanting be necessary, it should be done early in the winter. These plants often give prettier effects in the cooler northern parts of the country and in Scotland.