Omphalodes linifolia alba

The fabulously lyrical Omphalodes linifolia—a name that rolled off the tongue like a forgotten poem—has been reclassified. It now answers to the name Iberodes linifolia.
Taxonomists, in their infinite wisdom, shuffled it out of Omphalodes and into Iberodes after a closer look at the genetics. Accurate, maybe. But let’s be honest, Omphalodes linifolia had style. The new name sounds like it came off a shipping manifest. Still, its the same graceful plant, just wearing a new badge.

Omphalodes linifolia, now renamed 'Iberodes linifolia' and often referred to as the Argentine Forget-Me-Not, is a delicate annual that wears its charm lightly. Native to southern Europe, despite its common name, it's no true Argentine, but the grace is universal.
It forms a loose, airy mound of fine, silver-grey foliage. Come late spring, it sends up slender stems topped with small, pure white flowers, five-petalled and open-faced. They look like forget-me-nots dressed for summer in white linen.

Growing about 25 to 30cm (10 to 12in) tall, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It's drought-tolerant, gentle on space, and self-sows just enough to come back next year without becoming a nuisance. Perfect for rock gardens, gravel paths, or a border where restraint is valued. Quiet, cool, and full of grace.
It produces masses of branching flower sprays that are useful for flower arrangements, especially for posies and centrepieces.
Sow in March to May, or sow August to October for an earlier show of flowers the following year. Pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushy growth.

• Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit
  Omphalodes linifolia alba has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Sowing: Sow indoors from late spring - March to June
Sow in early spring or late summer if sowing under cover, or from April to June if sowing directly outdoors.
Germination usually takes 10 to 21 days at temperatures between 15 to 20°C.

Sowing Indoors:
Use a light, well-drained soil or gritty compost and scatter the seeds thinly on the surface. Don’t cover them, as they need light to germinate. Press them in gently and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots and harden them off before planting out at 15 to 20cm spacing.
Plant outdoors after all danger of frost. Before transplanting the tender seedlings into the garden they need to be hardened-off, allowing them to adjust to the outdoor conditions.
Check the soil often to make sure it's moist and water if necessary.

Sowing Direct:
Omphalodes can also be planted outdoors after the last frost directly where plants are to grow. Sow seeds on the surface and water in lightly to prevent the seeds from washing or blowing away.

Cultivation:
Plant in a position with full sun, they will also tolerate light shade
Once established, they’ll self-seed modestly, returning with quiet charm each spring. Leave a few plants to die down and self seed. Others can be pulled up and composted.

Plant Uses:
Rock gardens, gravel paths or the border. Flower posies and table centrepieces

Origin:
Omphalodes linifolia, now known as Iberodes linifolia, is native to southern Europe, particularly the Iberian Peninsula, Spain and Portugal. It thrives in dry, rocky soils and open scrub, typical of Mediterranean climates.
Surprisingly, it is a member of the Boraginaceae, the Borage family.

Nomenclature:
The original genus name, Omphalodes, comes from the Greek omphalos meaning 'navel' and odes meaning 'resembling', referring to the dimpled shape of the seeds. Its common name is also navelwort.
The species name linifolia means 'with leaves like flax' (Linum), a nod to its fine, narrow foliage.
In recent years, taxonomists reclassified the plant into the genus Iberodes after molecular studies showed it was distinct from true Omphalodes. The new name reflects its Iberian roots, 'Iberodes' literally meaning 'from Iberia.'
So while the plant has kept its delicate nature and silvery grace, it’s been given a passport change—Omphalodes linifolia now travels under the name Iberodes linifolia.