Register with us or sign in
From 7 ratings
Plant type
Hardy annual
Flower colour
Yellow
Feature
Flowers
Hardiness
Hardy
Skill level
Beginner
There is just one species of this Californian annual which is very simple to grow in almost any soil in a sunny spot. The bright white and yellow cup-shaped flowers create a cheerful patch of ground cover, with the apt name of poached egg plant. It's an asset in the vegetable garden as a companion plant to attract hoverflies which will feed on aphids and pollinate plants. It will self-seed freely and future generations will continue to appear and naturalise themselves over the area, germinating and flowering at different times. This can be imitated by sowing in autumn for flowers as early as April, and from spring to July for a long sequence of summer flowers. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Family: Limnanthaceae
Genus: Limnanthes
Species: douglasii
Plant type: Hardy annual
Flower colour: Yellow
Feature: Flowers
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained/light
Hardiness: Hardy
Skill level: Beginner
Height: 15cm
Spread: 15cm
Time to plant seeds: April to July
greenhouseman
heather50
i love this plant it make me fell good
This really is a lovely plant thats bright and cheerful
Flooz
I HAVE JUST PLANTED SOME OF THE SEEDS TODAY HOPEFULLY HAVE A GOOD A YEAR AS LAST KEEPS THE PESKY CRITTERS AWAY, SUCH A LOVELY LITTLE FLOWER BUT A GREAT HELPER TO ANY GARDENER.
HyppyByker
I sowed some last year but they didn't do too well but I've refurbished a border and have some gaps whilst the perennials fill up so I'll give them another go - thanx for reminding me!
trish beebe
mine are like weeds, coming up everywhere. damp clay soil does not worry them and i eat the leaves as well as salad. bees love them as well, can stand being trodden on and abused, just keep coming back again and again.
Patsy2
Lovely little plants, I use them to edge the veg beds. Once you've had them they just keep seeding themselves around.
Wild_Gardener
I sowed some of these gorgeous little plants in an old bakers basket and they've done brilliantly...it's hoverfly central in my garden, they adore it
