White Blue Eyed Mary: A Charming California Native Annual
Meet Collinsia bartsiifolia var. hirsuta, better known as white blue eyed Mary – a delightful little California native that’s as charming as its whimsical name suggests. This petite annual wildflower brings a splash of blue and white to gardens, though it remains one of those hidden gem natives that many gardeners haven’t discovered yet.
What Makes White Blue Eyed Mary Special?
White blue eyed Mary is a true California native, belonging to the plantain family. As an annual forb, it completes its entire life cycle in one growing season, making it a fleeting but memorable garden visitor. The plant produces small, distinctive flowers that combine blue and white coloring – hence the blue eyed part of its common name.
This variety (var. hirsuta) is distinguished by its somewhat hairy or fuzzy texture, which is what hirsuta means in botanical terms. It’s a herbaceous plant without woody stems, staying low to the ground and spreading its charm through delicate blooms rather than imposing stature.
Where Does It Call Home?
White blue eyed Mary is exclusively native to California, making it a true Golden State endemic. This narrow geographic distribution means it has evolved to thrive in California’s unique climate conditions and ecosystems.
Should You Grow White Blue Eyed Mary?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky – and honest. While white blue eyed Mary is undoubtedly a lovely native plant, it’s also somewhat of a mystery in the gardening world. Limited cultivation information exists for this specific variety, which suggests it might be:
- Adapted to very specific growing conditions
- Challenging to establish in typical garden settings
- Better suited for specialized native plant gardens or restoration projects
- Not widely available in the nursery trade
If you’re a beginning native plant gardener, you might want to start with better-documented California natives before tackling this particular variety. However, if you’re an experienced native plant enthusiast looking for something unique, white blue eyed Mary could be an exciting challenge.
Growing Conditions and Care
Unfortunately, specific growing requirements for Collinsia bartsiifolia var. hirsuta are not well-documented. However, as a California native annual, it likely prefers:
- Well-draining soil (most California natives do)
- Full sun to partial shade
- Minimal summer water once established
- Cool season growing period (fall through spring)
Since it’s an annual, white blue eyed Mary will need to reseed itself or be replanted each year. The timing and method for successful seed starting remains unclear due to limited cultivation data.
Garden Design Possibilities
When successfully grown, white blue eyed Mary would likely work well in:
- Native plant gardens focused on California species
- Rock gardens or naturalized areas
- Wildflower meadow plantings
- Educational or restoration landscapes
Its small stature and annual nature make it best suited as an accent plant rather than a landscape foundation element.
The Bottom Line
White blue eyed Mary represents both the beauty and the challenge of growing specialized native plants. While it’s certainly worth celebrating as a California native with unique charm, the lack of readily available growing information suggests it might be best left to experienced native plant gardeners or restoration professionals.
If you’re drawn to the idea of small, colorful California native annuals, consider starting with better-documented options like California poppies, clarkias, or other Collinsia species with more established cultivation guidelines. Once you’ve mastered those, you might be ready to tackle the delightful mystery that is white blue eyed Mary.
Remember, successful native gardening often involves matching the right plant to the right conditions – and sometimes that means appreciating a plant’s beauty while acknowledging it might not be the best fit for every garden situation.
