Omphalodes verna

Omphalodes verna, also known as Creeping Naverlwort, is a small ground cover perennial that forms a wonderful carpet of flowers reminiscent of forget-me-nots, with its striking blue colour in the clear shade of the undergrowth. They are even more appreciated as they bring life to areas of the garden that are often less floriferous, at a time of year when flowering is still rare. Indifferent to cold, tolerant of clay, heavy and chalky soils, this carefree plant is comfortable in most of our regions, as long as the soil it grows in remains somewhat moist in summer.

Omphalodes verna belongs to the family Boraginaceae, just like the common borage. This botanical species is native to Central Europe, from the Italian Lombardy to Hungary. 

It is a 15cm (6in) tall herbaceous perennial with a creeping stoloniferous base that spreads laterally. From spring, it develops beautiful basal clumps composed of rounded, slightly puckered fresh green leaves, which usually disappear in winter. The flowering takes place from March to May. The pretty forget-me-not flowers are a vivid blue, 1.5cm (1in) in diameter, adorned with a small white eye, and carried by long, flexible, sparsely leafed pedicels. They are gathered in short terminal clusters, quite loose and lightweight.

Omphalodes verna is a charming ground cover to be planted in a clear and cool undergrowth, under deciduous bushes with light foliage, in humus-rich soil that remains moist even in summer. Plant it in partial shade, for example in the company of wood or Japanese anemones, wood hyacinths, by placing young plants here and there among clusters of Epimediums. Its association with the Narcissus 'Tête-à-Tête' is particularly successful. It will create surprising blue flows in a shaded rockery, making its way among large mossy stones. It is also a lovely plant to border a pathway exposed to morning sun. It is one of those perennials that beautify year after year, without requiring any maintenance. Its extraordinary blue flowering will take over from that of liverworts and fragrant violets that appreciate the same environments.