What is the story of baby-blue-eyes?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
May 10, 2002
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading—>Click here.
Shop the National Geographic Store.
All purchases support research and education—>Click here.
Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.
Killer Picks: Blue Eyed Grass, Prairie Blue Eyes Daylily—>Click here.
There is a small flower, baby-blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii Hooker & Arnott), [ne moff' i la men zee' se i] found in the shaded washes, chaparral, and wooded slopes of California. It is an ephemeral, a short-lived plant that grows, blooms, and sets seed in a brief wet season. The seeds wait out the year until the rains return.
Archibald Menzies was born in March 1754 at Weem in Scotland. His first job was as a gardener on the grounds of the Castle Menzies for the third baronet, Sir Robert, the wealthier side of the family. The Menzies clan was famous for its arboriculture; the Castle was famous for its huge well-tended trees.
Sometime around 1770, Archibald and his brother William went to work as gardeners at the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens. Archibald studied medicine at Edinburgh University and
became a ship's surgeon for a trading company. In 1790, he was appointed ship's naturalist and surgeon aboard the HMS Discovery commanded by George Vancouver.
For the next four years, Archibald circumnavigated the world with the Discovery and its supply ship, Chatham. He explored the Pacific coast of the Americas and was probably the first European to see the giant redwoods. He collected seeds and samples of 300 American species; 25 were named in his honor. He climbed the 14,000-foot Mauna Loa in Hawaii. The ships then went on to explore Australia and New Zealand.
It is chance that Archibald on a brief visit should find the ephemeral baby-blue-eyes. When the plant was later classified, it was placed in the genus Nemophila, originally named for the plants' preference of growing in the shade. But, Nemophila means "grove-loving" as were the Menzies clan.
The California Academy of Sciences has posted photographs of the wonderful wildflowers found in their state. To view the photographs of the blue form of Nemophila menziesii, click on the link:
http://www.calacademy.org/research/botany/wildflow/names/207176.htm 
To view the white form of N. menziesii, click on the link:
http://www.calacademy.org/research/botany/wildflow/names/207172.htm
To read more about Archibald Menzies, click on the link:
http://www.menzies.org/history/menziesofinterest.htm
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
Who was Parkinson? What's in a Name? - August 15, 2003
What was William's mission? Plants that Changed History - August 12, 2003
How did an orchid 'shape' a prediction? Renfield's Garden - December 17, 2003
How did the Brazil nut tree get its name? What's in a Name? - May 3, 2002
What plant came back from extinction? Weird Plants - July 31, 2003
Killer Savings Links:
Breck's Bulbs -$25 off—>Click here.
Gurney's Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Henry Fields Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Spring Hill Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.
Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.
Unique Professionally Designed Gardens
Springhill Nursery®
Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you.
Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!
|
|
Blue Eyed Grass
Spring Hill Nursery®
Unusual member of the iris family displays petite, ¾'' starlike blue-purple blooms with yellow centers that first appear in spring and keep coming until midsummer. Delivers up to ten weeks of color followed by neat and tidy clumps of irislike foliage until late fall.
It’s so easy to grow; you’ll want to plant it in a front border or walkway where you can enjoy the color show up close. 8-10'' tall.
Shipped in 3'' pot. Deer tend to avoid. Zone 5 to 9.
Sisyrinchium angustifolium ‘Lucerne’
|
|
Blue Eyed Grass Ships In The Spring
Click here - Save $20 on $50 order
Unique Characteristics: A member of the iris family, with petite 3/4'' blue-purple blooms that first appear in late spring and keep coming until mid summer, enjoy up to 10 weeks of color followed by neat and tidy clumps of attractive foliage until a hard frost in late fall. Its so easy to grow, plant it in a front border where you can enjoy the color show up close.
Additional Information: Named by Robert Herman, who found this item in Lucerne, Switzerland.
|
Prairie Blue Eyes Daylily
Spring Hill Nursery®
|
|
|
Winner of an Award of Merit for its unusual coloring and heat tolerance. The Prairie Blue Eyes Daylily has rich lavender-blue flowers with fluorescent green throats which are 5 1/2'' wide atop 28" stems.
Spring Hill presents Designer Daylilies--improved Hemerocallis hybrids to give your garden a sense of style, as well as outstanding color; on the hottest summer days. Many begin flowering early in summer; and some rebloom later in the season. Established plants produce 50 or more blooms. Grow in any well-drained soil, withstand drought and are insect and disease resistant. Space 18-24" apart.
#1 field-grown plants. Deer tend to avoid.
Prairie Blue Eyes Daylily Ships In The Fall
Click here - Save $20 on $50 order
|
|
Unique Characteristics: Very hardy and easy to grow low-maintenance plant. Prolific bloomer, heat tolerant. Well branched. Most unusual blush-lavender color, an award winner.
Additional Information: Hybridizer: The late James Marsh in 1970 - known for his success with blue-toned Daylilies. Awards: J.C. 1970, H.M. 1973 and A.M. 1976.
|
National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic®
|
|
You are invited to roam the world in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Explore the diversity of our planet's lands and inhabitants in compelling stories covering topics such as animals, nature, science, technology, culture, history, travel, adventure, exploration, and geography. The monthly National Geographic magazine is your key benefit of membership.
Additional benefits include:
- As many as five wall map supplements throughout the year in issues of the magazine
- A personalized Membership Certificate
- Special discounts on selected products
- The opportunity to examine special Society products free in your home before deciding to purchase
- The privilege of traveling the world with the Society's educational travel tour programs
- The satisfaction of supporting important research, conservation, education, and exploration projects
|
|
Join the Society and bring the adventure of National Geographic into your home!
Click here.
|
| |
killerplants Recommended Smart Stores
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 BACK TO TOP
|
|
