The poached egg plant is in full flower on the Chronological Bed.
This native of California is definitely a sun-lover, opening it’s white, cup-shaped flowers to full effect on a sunny day to reveal a yellow-centre. It is a low-growing annual species, reaching only 15cm in height, and is relatively easy to grow, self-seeding readily in an open, moist position. Limnanthes douglasii is the most commonly grown of 17 species within the genus. The genus takes it’s name from the Greek limne, meaning marsh, and anthos, meaning flower. The specific epithet douglasii honours David Douglas, a nineteenth century Scottish botanist and plant collector who travelled extensively in North America.