Collinsia is a half hardy or hardy annual that reaches 30 to 60 cm in height.
It blooms in the middle of summer, with flowers of pink, blue or purple.
The flowers are often lip shaped, hence one of their common names – Bluelips; other names for Collinsia include Innocence, Blue-eyed Mary, and Chinese Houses.
It is a great plant to grow in borders even in containers.
Collinsia heterophylla - Chinese houses by MiguelVieira; Creative commons.
Collinsia tinctoria - Tincture Plant by Marlin Harms.
Seeds of should be planted outside in their final location either before the last frost of spring or in the autumn.
Innocence should be grown in a sunny garden or a partially shaded one in hot areas; plant them about 20 cm apart.
Collinsia likes to grow in a soil of pH 5 to 8, that is moist but well drained, and fertile.
The germination of Collinsia normally takes about two to three weeks.
In windy areas Collinsia should be staked. The plant should be dead-headed to encourage flowering and prevent the Innocence taking over the garden.
The Collinsia genus is made up of about 20 species.
Collinsia, known for its attractive, often bi-colored flowers, makes a beautiful addition to wildflower gardens and informal landscapes.
One popular species is Collinsia heterophylla (Chinese houses), grown for its charming tiered flowers.
While Collinsia species are not notably fragrant, they are highly valued for their beautiful and distinctive blooms.
Collinsia thrives best in part shade and in well-drained soil, making it a good fit for woodland or semi-shaded gardens.
Currently, Collinsia is not classified as invasive in the USA.
Remove Collinsia by carefully uprooting the plants and ensuring all root fragments are removed to prevent regrowth.
The Collinsia genus, part of the Plantaginaceae family, is native to North America. Also known as blue-eyed Mary or Chinese houses, these annual plants are known for their opposite leaves and small, tube-like flowers in various colors that bloom in spring or early summer.
To grow Collinsia, plant them in a sunny to partially shaded location with well-drained soil. They can be grown from seeds sown in spring. Regular watering is necessary. They are often used in wildflower gardens, meadows, or as cut flowers for their delicate, colorful blooms.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Collinsia plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Rhodochiton and Veronica plants.