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Limnanthes douglasii (Meadow foam)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.5m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Limnanthes douglasii
Other names
Poached egg plant, Meadow foam, Poached egg flower
Genus
Limnanthes Limnanthes
Species
L. douglasii - L. douglasii is a mound-forming, hardy annual with finely-divided, dark green leaves and, in summer and autumn, bowl-shaped, yellow flowers with white-tipped petals.
Limnanthes douglasii is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers are sweetly fragrant and much loved by butterflies and bees.
Habit
Bushy, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Yellow, White in Summer; Yellow, White in Autumn
Foliage
Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Limnanthes douglasii (Meadow foam) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), City, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Edging, Garden edging, Wildlife
Cultivation
Sow seeds in-situ in spring or autumn, in moist, free-draining soil in a sunny position. Autumn sowings will require frost protection. It will self-seed, any undesired seedlings are easily removed.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Limnanthes douglasii
Other names
Poached egg plant, Meadow foam, Poached egg flower
Genus
Limnanthes Limnanthes
Species
L. douglasii - L. douglasii is a mound-forming, hardy annual with finely-divided, dark green leaves and, in summer and autumn, bowl-shaped, yellow flowers with white-tipped petals.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Flowers are sweetly fragrant and much loved by butterflies and bees.
Habit
Bushy, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Yellow, White in Summer; Yellow, White in Autumn
Foliage
Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Limnanthes douglasii (Meadow foam) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), City, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Edging, Garden edging, Wildlife
Cultivation
Sow seeds in-situ in spring or autumn, in moist, free-draining soil in a sunny position. Autumn sowings will require frost protection. It will self-seed, any undesired seedlings are easily removed.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Limnanthes douglasii
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