Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort) Omphalodes verna
Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort) (Omphalodes verna) is a deciduous perennial groundcover in the Boraginaceae family, native to Mountain woods of south-eastern Europe (Alps to the Balkans). It grows 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Boraginaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountain woods of south-eastern Europe (Alps to the Balkans) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
Questions about Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort)
- How far apart should I plant Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort) need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort)?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort) flower?
- From about March for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Blue-eyed Mary (creeping navelwort). Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A creeping woodland groundcover with heart-shaped leaves and sprays of clear blue, white-eyed flowers like large forget-me-nots in early spring. Marie Antoinette is said to have loved it at the Petit Trianon.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Borage Borago officinalis
- Comfrey Symphytum officinale
- Woodland forget-me-not Myosotis sylvatica
- Lungwort (pulmonaria) Pulmonaria officinalis
- Heliotrope Heliotropium arborescens
- Tree echium (giant viper's bugloss) Echium pininana
- Virginia bluebells Mertensia virginica
- Pride of Madeira Echium candicans