Nemesia is a low-growing flowering plant that works well as a colorful filler for containers and garden beds. Join farmer Briana Yablonski to learn how to plant and care for this unique flower.
If you’re looking for a new flowering plant for window boxes, raised beds, and ornamental gardens, check out nemesia. This plant is less common than petunias, impatiens, and other summer annuals, so it will add a new layer of interest to your garden.
Nemesia plants only grow a few feet tall and become covered with flowers shortly after the weather warms. That makes them an excellent plant for adding a pop of color to late spring and early summer gardens. The plants can continue blooming throughout the summer if you choose a heat-tolerant variety and plant them in a location that’s protected from harsh afternoon sun.
I’ll cover how to grow nemesia so it provides you with beautiful and long-lasting flowers. You’ll learn how to select the right growing location, choose a variety that suits your needs, and address common problems.
What Is Nemesia?
Nemesia is a genus of flowering plants that consists of around 70 different species. You can find various species available for sale at garden centers, but Nemesia strumosa and Nemesia caerulea are the most commonly available species. Numerous hybrids also exist and make up some of the newest cultivars.
Nemesia plants are also known as cape jewels or pouch nemesia.
Characteristics
Some nemesia species are tender perennials, and others are annuals. Regardless, most growers treat all types of nemesia as annuals and replant them each year.
The varieties commonly grown in stores typically grow between one and two feet tall. They produce multiple stems from the base of the plant, leading to a short yet bushy appearance. Each stem is covered with slender, lance-shaped leaves that appear in pairs.
The top of the stems eventually becomes covered with two-lipped flowers that slightly resemble snapdragon blooms. When the plants are in full bloom, the base of the plant is almost hidden by the flowers.
The flowers vary in color depending on the variety and come in colors including purple, yellow, pink, and orange. Sometimes, the upper and lower lips are the same color, and other times, they’re two different hues.
Native Area
All types of nemesia are native to South Africa. They often grow in well-drained soils or in sandy and rocky coastal areas.
Planting
You can grow nemesia from seed or transplants. Some hybrid varieties are only available as seedlings, so transplanting is your only option for these types of nemesia.
