Nemesia named Compact Pink Innocence
by J McCombie
Title
Nemesia named Compact Pink Innocence
Artist
J McCombie
Medium
Photograph - Untouched
Description
This dainty, long-flowering perennial is a charming addition to the summer garden, but what is commonly sold in nurseries as Nemesia fruticans may be due for a name change. The name Nemesia is derived from the name Nemesion, the generic name of a similar plant. The name fruticans is derived from the Latin word frutex which means a shrubby plant. There is some debate, however, about the identity of the plant commonly cultivated under this name, and this genus is under revision at present.
The genus Nemesia is found only in South Africa and has about seventy species. The family Scrophulariaceae is the large snapdragon family which consists of about 5 100 species worldwide. Amongst them, the foxgloves or Digitalis are known to contain certain drug chemicals. In South Africa there are 79 genera of the family Scrophulariaceae. Nemesia fruticans occurs naturally throughout the summer rainfall grassland areas of South Africa where it grows mostly along sandy coasts or disturbed ground in among rocks. Like many other grassland perennials it has a woody taproot that helps it survive fires and winter frost. The mauve nemesia is a perennial that is used mostly as an annual. It grows up to 600 mm in height. It has many slender erect stems which branch freely. Stems have numerous, narrow, serrated leaves which are denser near the base of the stem. The leaves are fresh green and shiny. The stems grow lanky as more and more flowers develop at the tips.
The flowers resemble little snapdragon flowers, with delicate, airy clusters of tubular, short, spurred two-lipped flowers cover this South African native when growing conditions are cool and favorable. The flowers are two-lipped, with the upper lip consisting of four lobes and the lower lip two lobes. It is a delightful tender perennial with an upright or slightly spreading habit. Where hardy, it grows as an evergreen subshrub, but where winters are cold it’s planted as a cool season bedding annual. Small, narrow, lance-shaped leaves cover the bushy plants throughout the year. Though commonly called “blue nemesia” its flowers are also naturally found in shades of pale pink and white. Each blossom is decorated with a white or bright yellow protuberance or “bee” at the base or "throat" of the lower lip. Deadheading is not necessary, but the plants will continue to bloom better if gently pinched back and fed intermittently. Grow Nemesia in full to partial sun and fertile soil with even moisture and good drainage. Plants tend to grow better if the soil is slightly acid. These tender perennials are evergreen in frost-free zones but will be killed to the ground by light frosts. The mauve nemesia flowers mostly at the beginning of spring (September-October), but the flowering season can extend through summer to autumn.In subtropical areas, reduce watering in winter, and occasionally pinch back stems to encourage additional flowering. In northern regions, these beautiful plants can be enjoyed as long-blooming bedding annuals. Where summers are hot, they are best planted for spring or fall color. Nemesia is ideal for containers, garden edges and hanging baskets. The seeds are produced in flat capsules which are dry and whitish to yellow-brown in colour. This species is synonymous with Nemesia foetens. The cultivar 'Innocence', a low-growing bushy perennial with white flowers, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
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November 6th, 2011
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