Omphalodes cappadocica

cappadocian navelwort

Boraginaceae

NE Turkey (Pontic Alps, Caucasus; moist shaded forest floors and stream banks; not actually from Cappadocia)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 6–8

Overview

Omphalodes cappadocica is a semi-evergreen, clump-forming perennial reaching 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) tall with a spread of 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) and a low, mounding habit. Native to northeastern Turkey (not Cappadocia despite the name—the original collection locality was misidentified), this species produces sprays of bright blue, forget-me-not-like flowers in early spring. Each flower is 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm) across with 5 rounded petals and a white eye. The basal leaves are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, ovate to heart-shaped, prominently veined, medium to dark green. Growth rate is slow to moderate. Hardy to zone 6. Spreads slowly by stolons to form loose colonies. An early-spring-flowering shade perennial.

Native Range

Omphalodes cappadocica is native to northeastern Turkey—the Pontic Alps and Caucasus region—in moist, shaded forest floors and stream banks. Despite the epithet, it is not from Cappadocia.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a woodland groundcover, under trees, or in shaded borders at 12-15 inch (30-38 cm) spacing. The early spring blue flowers precede most other shade perennials. Slow spreading. Requires shade and consistent moisture. Not suitable for full sun, dry sites, or hot climates.

How to Identify

Distinguished from O. verna by the larger flowers (0.3-0.5 inch versus 0.2-0.3 inch), the larger and more prominently veined leaves, and the slower, less aggressive spread. Distinguished from Myosotis spp. (forget-me-not) by the larger flower size, the perennial habit with stolons, and the heart-shaped basal leaves. Distinguished from Brunnera macrophylla by the smaller overall size and the stoloniferous (versus clumping) spread. The low mound of heart-shaped veined leaves with bright blue white-eyed flowers in early spring is characteristic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 10"

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

blue

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Spring

Bright azure-blue flowers 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm) with white eye, in loose sprays above the foliage, March-May. Bloom duration is 4-6 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright azure-blue with white eye; 5 rounded petals; 0.3-0.5 inch; loose sprays; Mar-May

Foliage Description

Medium to dark green; ovate to heart-shaped 2-4 inches; prominently veined; basal

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat silt

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Hardy to zone 6. Shade essential—leaf scorch in full sun. Consistent moisture needed. Mulch to maintain cool, moist root zone. Slow to establish. Spreads slowly by stolons.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems after bloom. Tidy foliage as needed. The semi-evergreen leaves may look tired by late winter—new growth emerges in early spring.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Perennials