Nierembergia ‘Starry Eyes’

Nierembergia gracilis ‘Starry Eyes’

Characteristics

Culture

‘Starry Eyes’ Nierembergia has masses of beautiful white cup-shaped flowers with lavender centers and buttery yellow eyes at the ends of the stems. Blooms from early summer to early fall. Plants are most effective when planted in groupings. Its small narrow leaves remain green in color throughout the season. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.   ‘Starry Eyes’ Nierembergia is a dense herbaceous perennial with a mounded form. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

Noteworthy Characteristics

This marvelous selection of the Argentine desert native Nierembergia gracilis is one of the finest plants grown for summer flowering in full sun. Unlike most nierembergias, which melt in our summers, Nierembergia ‘Starry Eyes’ forms a tight mound of linear foliage 10″ tall x 18″ wide.  From spring until fall, the clump is smothered with up-facing, light lavender bells. Good drainage and 6 hours or more of baking sun are required for best performance…absolutely outstanding!  Where Nierembergia ‘Starry Eyes’ isn’t winter hardy, it makes a great mixed container plant.  This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback.  It is often used as a ‘filler’ in the ‘spiller-thriller-filler’ container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

Problems

It has no significant negative characteristics.

Garden Uses

Mass plantings. Rock gardens. Ground cover. Containers. Hanging baskets. Beds.