Nemesia cheiranthus Shooting Stars Seeds - Long-Eared Nemesia

Nemesia cheiranthus 'Shooting Stars', also called Long-Eared Nemesia, is a herbaceous annual plant from the Scrophulariaceae family. It grows in the sandy soils of Namaqualand, from West Namibia to South Africa. The dark green leaves are lanceolate and shallow-toothed. This very bushy, branched plant produces branches supporting a myriad of little flowers that grow out of the axis of the leaves in rather large clusters, reminiscent of the shape of certain orchids. This variety reaches 40 cm in height in ideal conditions and will flower continuously from June to October. Nemesia flowers are zygomorphic and bilabiate. Those of 'Shooting Star' have four long, tapered petals that form the upper lip. The lower lip is made up of two protruding, swollen petals.

It has been compared to a shooting star but it actually looks more like a punk-styled diva with its frayed white mohawk, saffron-spotted yellow chin and its purple-rimmed lips. And yet, this flower with its picturesque and exotic beauty shines bright in flowerbed borders, rockeries and window boxes.

It appreciates well-drained, preferably rich soils. Plant in full sun or in partial shade. Reserve spots for it near a passageway, on a patio or terrace, along the edges of paths or in any place where one can fully take advantage of its coconut fragrance which intensifies on hot days.

Careful, seeds are reserved for very experienced gardeners that are used to sowing very fine seeds. These seeds are as fine as dust and are barely visible to the naked eye.