Northwest Blooms · Groundcovers
Limnanthes douglasii
Poached Egg Plant
- Family
- Limnanthaceae
- Height
- 6 to 12 inches tall
- Width
- 6 to 12 inches wide
- Flower color
- White petals with yellow centers
- Foliage color
- Green
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Medium; prefers moist soil
- Maintenance
- Low; deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7 to 10
- Wildlife
- The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
About this plant
Limnanthes douglasii, commonly known as poached egg plant, is self-sowing annual prized for its cheerful white-and-yellow flowers and ability to attract beneficial insects. Native to western North America and part of the Limnanthaceae family, it blooms in late spring to early summer, with small, cup-shaped flowers resembling poached eggs.
Suited for sunny areas with well-draining soil, it is often used as ground cover in wildflower meadows, pollinator gardens, and rock gardens. Low-maintenance and attractive, Limnanthes douglasii adds brightness and whimsy to gardens, and its ability to self-seed enhances its popularity among environmentally conscious gardeners.
Works well in
Pollinator Gardens · Rock Gardens · Native Gardens · Borders
Companion plants
Yarrow · Ceanothus · Lupines · Penstemons · Poppies · Salvias
Design tip
Scatter generous drifts through sunny borders and meadow-style plantings where the cheerful flowers can mingle naturally with surrounding blooms. Blend upright perennials, evergreen shrubs, and fine-textured grasses to create a relaxed composition rich in movement, color, and pollinator activity.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
