The plant: Voted by the National Home Gardening Club as its favorite plant in 2006 and selected by Sunset’s Garden Guide as one of the top five no-fail annual plants, award-winning nemesia is an easy plant to grow in the ground or in containers.

They are colorful imports from South Africa with blooms reminiscent of little snapdragon flowers. The Latin name nemesia comes from the Greek goddess of justice and retribution, Nemesis, while fruticans, from the Latin word “frutex,” signifies a shrubby plant. In its native South African habitat, nemesia is a grassland perennial that grows among rocks with the summer rains. In the low desert, though, don’t get too attached — while it’s a supernova in the winter, nemesia’s glow is often snuffed out by our extreme summer heat. This is one plant I don’t mind spending a few bucks to replant every season — its charming presence in a pot or flower bed is well worth the investment.

Growing guide: Full sun to light shade

Culture: Nemesia grows best during the winter and early spring. Select a spot that drains well, and prepare soil for flowering plant cultivation. Nemesia plants generally grow to about 2 feet by 2 feet, but that can vary somewhat. You should find transplants readily available at local and “big-box” nurseries in six-packs, 4-inch pots or 1-gallon containers. Prepare the planting hole as deep as the container and a few inches wider. Set the transplants 6 to 9 inches apart. Place the plant so it sits even with the soil line, gently patting the soil in place. Add a 1-inch to 3-inch layer of mulch or organic compost, making sure to keep the mulch away from the plant’s stems. Water well until the soil is thoroughly moist, then water regularly during the growing season to avoid loss from drought, especially when temperatures rise.

Maintenance: Nemesia generally likes it on the cooler side. Although most nemesia fruticans are classified as perennials, most perform as annuals in the low desert. If frost is predicted, cover your plants and move containers up on your patio. If the upper growth is damaged by frost, just trim off the dead portions when weather warms. When flowers decline and the plant looks a bit droopy, cut back to encourage new bloom and stimulate new growth. Fertilize monthly with organic fertilizers such as fish and seaweed emulsion, worm castings or an organic fruit and flower fertilizer.

Barn Goddess tips: I love to plant nemesia in cool-season containers. Nemesia fruticans “Blue Bird” is a favorite selection. I like monochromatic themes, and this lavender blue beauty pairs nicely with lobelia “Laguna” (sky blue), verbena “Superbena” (purple blue), and supertunia “Royal Velvet” (deep purple). If you want to add some punch, splash in some chartreuse with Creeping Jenny or Sweet Potato Vine “Margarita.” You can also grow delicately scented nemesia varieties from seed. Nemesia caerulea species have vivid blue, pink, mauve and lavender flowers that stand out against the dark green foliage. Their compact but spreading habit makes them ideal for flower beds and containers.

source : www.eastvalleytribune.com