Omphalodes
Navelwort
A favorite of Marie Antoinette’s, these endearing forget-me-not–like flowers claim their name from the navel-shaped groove that marks each seed. Omphalodes are members of the Borage family, preferring moist soils but tolerant of dry conditions when grown in shade. They can take full sun where summers are temperate and need dappled light elsewhere. Slowly spreading by underground stems, let this lovely and leafy evergreen ground cover enhance the edge of the woods or a rock garden with spring bulbs and Ajuga not far away.
Hailing from central and southeastern Europe, this tidy Omphalodes fashions an adaptable energetic carpet characterized by pointed, prominently veined and long-petioled rich green leaves. Clusters of petite, white-eyed brilliant blue flowers make an enchanting appearance that heralds spring atop short wiry stems. Happiest in cool lightly shaded alcoves with adequate moisture and good drainage, Omphalodes verna’s undemanding semi-evergreen habit slowly spreads, tolerates occasional dry shade once established and imparts serene cerulean accents to borders, understory shrub plantings and woodland gardens.
Blooms mid March–June
Size: 9" high x 12" wide.
Hardy to zone 6.
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