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Lemon Bacopa

Bacopa caroliniana

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Lemon Bacopa (Bacopa caroliniana) at The Mustard Seed

Lemon Bacopa

Lemon Bacopa

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  6 inches

Spread:  24 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  (annual)

Other Names:  Mint Bacopa, Blue Water Hyssop, Lemon Hyssop

Description:

Widely used in aquariums and water features, this immersed or pondside plant will eventually grow in large mats, with dainty blue flowers year round; a great groundcover for wet pondside soils; leaves are aromatic when crushed

Ornamental Features

Lemon Bacopa features dainty fragrant blue cup-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from early spring to late fall. Its attractive fragrant round leaves emerge chartreuse in spring, turning dark green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Lemon Bacopa is an herbaceous annual with a low habit of growth, spreading atop the surface of the water. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Lemon Bacopa is ideally suited for growing in a pond, water garden or patio water container, and is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Water Gardens
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
  • Container Planting
  • Bog Gardens

Planting & Growing

Lemon Bacopa will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the water. Although it's not a true annual, this plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. As an aquatic plant, it requires a suitable water garden environment and will benefit from special planting and ongoing care practices; consult one of our in-store experts for further details and instructions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by cuttings.

Lemon Bacopa is a fine choice for the water garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when grown in outdoor pots and containers, aquatic plants like this one will require a special growing environment that meets their requirement for consistent moisture.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Garden  Naturalizing  Container  Bog  Water 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color 
Ornamental Features