Botanical Name: Nemesia fruticans ‘Bluebird’ Common Name: Nemesia Hardiness Zone: Grown as an Annual in Most Climates (Perennial in USDA Zones 9–11) Size: 8–12" Tall × 10–14" Spread Growth Habit: Compact, Mounding Habit Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade (Best Performance in Cooler Weather) Soil: Well-Drained, Fertile Soil Water Needs: Moderate; Prefers Consistent Moisture Bloom Season: Early Spring through Early Summer (May Rebloom in Fall) Fertilizer: Light, Regular Feeding for Best Bloom Features: Soft Blue Flowers with White Throats, Lightly Fragrant, Excellent Cool-Season Performance Uses: Containers, Window Boxes, Borders, Cool-Season Color

Patent: ❌ Not Patented Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

More About Nemesia ‘Bluebird’

Nemesia ‘Bluebird’ produces delicate blue flowers accented with clean white centers, offering a soft, cheerful look perfect for spring containers and garden edges. The blooms often carry a light fragrance and appear in abundance during cool weather, creating a fresh, early-season display.

The plant forms a neat, mounded shape that works beautifully in mixed containers and border plantings without becoming leggy or unruly.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Bluebird’ has been an excellent early-season performer, flowering heavily in spring while many summer annuals are still getting established. With consistent moisture and cooler temperatures, it maintains strong color and steady bloom.

We especially appreciate its role as a transitional plant—perfect for spring displays and often reblooming again in fall once temperatures moderate.

Nemesia ‘Bluebird’ vs. Other Cool-Season Annuals

Compared to lobelia, Nemesia offers larger individual blooms and a more upright habit, while still thriving in cool conditions.

When compared to diascia, ‘Bluebird’ provides a softer color palette and lightly fragrant flowers, making it ideal for close-up plantings near patios and walkways. For gardeners seeking a refined blue annual that shines in spring and mild weather, Nemesia fruticans ‘Bluebird’ is an excellent choice.