Pouch Nemesia (Bluebird)
Nemesia strumosa and hybrids. SCROPHULARIACEAE.
Planting and Growing Pouch Nemesia
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow pouch nemesia in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of pouch nemesia
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for pouch nemesia
- Season of bloom and planting time for pouch nemesia
- When, how deep, and where to plant pouch nemesia
- How to plant pouch nemesia
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of pouch nemesia
- Landscape and container uses of pouch nemesia
- Comments about pouch nemesia and its features
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Growing Pouch Nemesia
Several cultivars of erect, bushy annual herbs, 6–24 in. (15–60 cm) tall. Alternate or opposite, green, lance-shaped, toothed leaves, 2–4 in. (50–100 mm) long.
Common cultivars include Nemesia strumosa ‘Blue Gem’, ‘Carnival Mixed Colors’, ‘Mellow Red and White’, and ‘National Ensign’.
Dark-blue nemesia, Nemesia caerulea, is a closely related perennial species with similar care needs.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Many irregular, orange, pink, purple, white, yellow, lobed-petaled flowers, to 1 in. (25 mm) wide, with fan-shaped upper petals over liplike lower petals, in branching clusters, in late spring.
Best Climates
Self-seeding, zones 3–10. Best in mild-summer climates.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained soil. Fertility: Rich. 6.5–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full to filtered sun, 6 in. (15 cm) apart, after frost hazard has passed. Start seed indoors 8–10 weeks before final frost for early blooms; transplant when frost hazard has passed.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep evenly moist. Fertilize monthly. Pinch growth tips to promote bushiness. Protect from heat. Propagate by seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for hanging baskets, beds, borders, containers in cottage, heritage, rock gardens. Good for cutting. Pest and disease resistant.