Sticky Blue Eyed Mary: A Charming Native Annual for Western Gardens
Meet one of the Pacific Northwest’s most delightful little wildflowers! Sticky blue eyed Mary (Collinsia rattanii rattanii) might have a quirky name, but this native annual brings serious charm to gardens with its snapdragon-like blooms and easygoing nature. If you’re looking to add a touch of native beauty to your landscape while supporting local pollinators, this little gem deserves a spot on your planting list.
What Makes Sticky Blue Eyed Mary Special?
This native forb—that’s gardener-speak for a non-woody flowering plant—is perfectly at home in the western United States. As an annual, it completes its entire life cycle in one growing season, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s high-maintenance. Once you get sticky blue eyed Mary established, it often self-seeds and returns year after year with minimal fuss from you.
The plant typically grows 6 to 12 inches tall, making it perfect for the front of borders, rock gardens, or naturalized areas where you want a splash of color without overwhelming taller plants. Its delicate blue and white flowers have an almost whimsical quality that adds movement and interest to any planting scheme.
Where Does It Call Home?
Sticky blue eyed Mary is native to California and Oregon, where it thrives in the region’s diverse ecosystems. This makes it an excellent choice for gardeners in these states who want to create landscapes that reflect their local natural heritage.
Why Your Garden (and Local Wildlife) Will Love It
There are plenty of reasons to fall for this native charmer:
- Pollinator magnet: Small native bees, flies, and other beneficial insects can’t resist the nectar-rich flowers
- Low maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care and often self-seeds
- Native plant benefits: Supports local ecosystems and wildlife
- Versatile size: Perfect scale for rock gardens, borders, or wildflower meadows
- Seasonal interest: Provides color and texture during its blooming period
Perfect Garden Spots for Sticky Blue Eyed Mary
This adaptable native works beautifully in several garden settings:
- Native plant gardens: Pairs wonderfully with other regional natives
- Rock gardens: Its modest size and drought tolerance make it ideal
- Wildflower meadows: Adds delicate texture among bolder blooms
- Naturalized areas: Perfect for low-maintenance landscape zones
- Container gardens: Works well in pots and planters
Growing Conditions That Make It Happy
Sticky blue eyed Mary isn’t particularly fussy, but it does have some preferences:
- Light: Partial shade to full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil is essential—it doesn’t like wet feet
- Moisture: Prefers cool, moist conditions but can handle some drought once established
- Climate: Thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7-9
Planting and Care Tips
Getting sticky blue eyed Mary started in your garden is refreshingly straightforward:
- When to plant: Direct seed in fall for spring germination
- Seeding: Scatter seeds where you want plants to grow—they often germinate better with natural winter conditioning
- Watering: Provide regular moisture during establishment, then reduce watering as plants mature
- Fertilizing: Generally unnecessary—native plants typically prefer lean soils
- Maintenance: Minimal once established; allow plants to self-seed if you want repeat performances
The Bottom Line
Sticky blue eyed Mary offers everything a gardener could want: native plant benefits, pollinator support, low maintenance needs, and genuine charm. Whether you’re creating a dedicated native plant garden or simply want to add some regional character to your landscape, this delightful annual delivers beauty with purpose. Plus, with its tendency to self-seed, you might find yourself with delightful surprises popping up in unexpected spots—nature’s way of adding a little spontaneity to your garden design!
