Blue-Eyed Mary
Collinsia verna
Blue-Eyed Mary is a charming bicolored woodland wildflower with sky-blue and white blooms that carpet forest floors in spring. This winter annual symbolizes innocence and the ephemeral beauty of spring woodlands.
Plantaginaceae (Plantain family); formerly Scrophulariaceae
Mid-spring to early summer (April-June)
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: deutzias and purple shooting stars also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Blue-Eyed Mary is cherished as one of the few truly blue wildflowers of North American woodlands. Its brief but spectacular spring display represents the fleeting beauty of woodland ephemerals. Considered an indicator of high-quality, undisturbed forests, this flower has become a symbol of woodland conservation and the importance of preserving native habitats. Endangered in some states, it reminds us of the fragility of native ecosystems.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Partial shade to filtered sun; adapted to woodland understory conditions
Water
Moderate to high moisture during growth and flowering; plants die back in early to mid-summer
Soil
Rich, Moist, Well-drained, Humus-rich, Slightly acidic to neutral
Expert Growing Tips
Sow seeds in summer for fall germination; seedlings overwinter and bloom the following spring
Allow plants to self-seed for naturalized colonies
Requires cold stratification (60 days) for germination
Plant dies back by mid-summer; combine with later-blooming perennials
Indicator species of high-quality woodlands
Best in undisturbed, established woodland settings
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Woodland gardens and shade gardens
- Spring ephemeral displays
- Naturalized areas under deciduous trees
- Native plant gardens
- Mass plantings for spring color carpets
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Blue-Eyed Mary
Is blue-eyed mary rare?
Blue-eyed mary is considered rare or endangered in several states including New York and Tennessee, though it occurs occasionally in high-quality woodlands throughout its native range in eastern and central North America.
How do you grow blue-eyed mary from seed?
Sow seeds in summer and allow them to cold stratify naturally over fall and winter. Seeds germinate in fall, seedlings persist through winter, and plants bloom the following spring before dying back in summer.
Why is blue-eyed mary called a winter annual?
Blue-eyed mary is a winter annual because its seeds germinate in fall, the seedlings survive winter, and the plants bloom and complete their life cycle the following spring before dying in summer.
What pollinators visit blue-eyed mary?
Blue-eyed mary attracts honeybees, bumblebees, mason bees, long-horned bees, butterflies, and skippers. The nectar and pollen provide important early spring food for these pollinators.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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Deutzia
Deutzia spp.
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Purple Shooting Star
Dodecatheon meadia
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Daisy
Bellis perennis (Common Daisy), Leucanthemum vulgare (Ox-eye Daisy)
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