This is a very showy winter annual that can form carpets of gorgeous blue and white flowers. The flowers will attract a number of bees and the occasional butterfly. Typically found in rich organic soil in wooded valleys and ravines.

 

Potted plants are usually available early winter through spring. Get them planted as soon as possible (November through March), so they get established in time to start blooming in April. Pollinators are helpful in maintaining genetic diversity, but blue-eyed Mary flowers can pollinate themselves and produce viable seed. As long as there is a little bare soil for the seeds to find and the competition from other plants isn't too intense, blue-eyed Marys can persist in flower beds for many years.

 

Uses: Shade gardens, bees, early color

Winter annual: Sow seed late spring through summer. Seeds germinate in fall and overwinter as tender seedlings, easily coping with freezing temperatures and precipitation. There are about 11,300 seeds per ounce. The following seeding rates will deposit about 30 seeds per square foot.