About

A bushy, deciduous herbaceous perennial reaching a height of around 50cm with thin, dark green leaves. Flowers are scented, purple-blue with bright yellow centres and appear in the spring and summer.

About the genus

Nemesia can be annuals, perennials or sub-shrubs of bushy habit, with simple, opposite leaves and 2-lipped flowers in short racemes or solitary in the leaf axils

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3

Plant details

Plant typeBedding, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moist, fertile soil in full sun. Flowering stops in dry weather unless watered freely. Pinch out growing tips to produce bushy plants, and instead of deadheading, trim off flowering shoots when initial flowering is finished to promote more flowers
PruningTrim off flowering shoots when first flush of flowers finished
PropagationTake softwood cuttings from the ends of non-flowering shoots in late summer and overwinter plants in frost-free conditions or take softwood cuttings in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free, but may suffer from foot and root rots in wet soils