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Cupflower

Nierembergia linariifolia (nee-rem-BERJ-ee-ah lin-ar-ee-FOH-lee-uh)

Family: Solanaceae Unknown

Tender perennial often grown as an annual; prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter; keep moist. Seeds can be started indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, or these seeds can be planted directly outdoors in spring and fall. Makes a great border or ground cover.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 41 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Optimal soil pH Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Buddleja Lo & Behold® 'Blue Chip Jr.' Salvia leucantha Viola sororia

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Annual
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf type
Simple
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Mounding foliage has a fern-like appearance
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Blue-violet, purple cup-shaped flowers with a yellow throat
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
South Central Bolivia to Brazil and Northern Argentina
Distribution
Anywhere as an annual
Wildlife value
resistant to deer
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Patio; Pond; Small Space
Landscape theme
Children's Garden; Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; Water Garden
Design feature
Border; Mass Planting
Garden tags
#tender perennial #showy flowers #purple flowers #deer resistant #summer flowers #groundcover #annual
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Deer
Propagation
Seed

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.