Baby Blue Eyes

Baby Blue Eyes are as beautifully bright sky-blue as a newborn's eyes! These annual wildflowers are native to the western United States and delicate, sky-blue, cup-shaped 1-2 inch flowers with white centers that bloom in spring. Baby Blue Eyes typically grow to about 6-12 inches in height and spreads 12-18 inches wide, with full green foliage, ideal for creating a lush, colorful ground cover. These dynamic flowers close at night or during overcast conditions and reopen when the sun comes out, creating a fun changing landscape. Famously, in Japan, millions of Baby Blue Eyes bloom every spring, transforming the Hitachi Seaside Park's Miharashi Hill into a breathtaking sea of blue. A producer of both nectar and pollen, Baby Blue Eyes attract bees and other pollinators, making them ideal for pollinator gardens. Baby Blue Eyes is both cool-weather loving and drought-tolerant.

Also Known As: Baby Blue Eyes, Blue Nemophila, California Bluebell, Menzie’s Baby Blue Eyes, Blue-Eyed Mary, Penny Black, Five Spot, Nemophila Insignis, Woodland Nemophila, Snowstorm.

Plant Name:	Baby Blue Eyes
Latin Name:	Nemophila menziesii
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Bloom:	65-90
Plant Height:	6 - 12 Inches
Spread:	12 - 18 Inches
Bloom Diameter:	1 - 2 Inches
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	3-10
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting for cut flowers easier. Lay down 1/2"-3/4" peat moss, sawdust, or potting soil, the soil surface. This layer is beneficial for flower seeds because it can the improve the germination environment and prevent soil crusting.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: For earlier blooms, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 65F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant Baby Blue Eyes in late spring when the soil warms to at least 60F. Fall planting is not recommended unless planting outdoors in environments with mild, frost-free winters, or planting indoors with supplemental grow lights.

To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 6-12 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole, then cover thinly with soil. In small plots, flower seeds may be scattered and gently watered in. Once seedlings emerge, plants can separated and spaced 6-12 inches apart to allow room for mature plants to spread and prevent overcrowding.

Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/8 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	6-12 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	2-3 feet

Care During the Season:

Once established, Baby Blue Eyes are drought-tolerant and require minimal care. Water sparingly, only during prolonged dry spells, and avoid overwatering. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering.