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Key characteristics

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

Groundcovers

Limnanthes douglasii

Poached Egg 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.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Medium; prefers moist soil

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

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.