Five Spot (Nemophila maculata)

Named for the five purple spots that adorn each flower petal tip, Fivespot (Nemophila maculata) is a cute and cheerful annual that's native to California's Sierra foothills. Fivespot is a member of the Borage family. It is related to Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii), another popular native annual. But it is not related to Desert Fivespot (Eremalche rotundifolia). Fivespot's appealing white and purple flowers bloom in early spring and attract bees, butterflies, and other insects. Fivespot is a low, compact plant, making it a good choice for containers and small beds. It likes sun or partial shade and does best in loose, nutrient-rich garden soil. Since it is native to cooler regions of California, it tolerates cold temperatures but needs afternoon shade and supplemental moisture in hot, dry climates. Fivespot seeds are often included in wildflower seed mixes and the plant will self-sow in the garden. From Calscape.

Growers: Larner Seeds

Other Names Used: Fivespot

Family: Hydrophyllaceae

Life Cycle: Annual

Plant Type: Herb

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial, Shade

Bloom Period: Winter, Spring (February to April ) 

Bloom Color(s): White, Blue, Purple

Plant Height: 6-12 inches tall

Plant Width: 1 foot wide

California Regions:

• San Francisco Bay Area
• North Coast
• Central Valley
• Sierra Foothills
• Sierra Nevada
• Central California Coast
• Southern Coast

Ecological Benefits:

• Attracts pollinators, birds, wildlife, bats
  

Ecological Functions:

• Grows in Containers
• Groundcover

Habitat Type:

• Valley Grassland
  
• Yellow Pine Forest
• Red Fir Forest
  
• Foothill Woodland 
  

Human Uses/Cautions: 

Skill Level: Beginner

Seed Pretreatment: None