I like it because of the bright blue color. In my zone, it blooms late summer (end of Aug/early Sept) until our first frost in Dec. or Jan. and doesn't need deadheading, the old blooms just fall off. And it's pretty.

wanda

I grew it for the first time this year (from seed). It has many positive features:
*Nice, clean, green foliage
*Really truly blue blooms. Not big, but abundant and continuous once the plant gets going.
*It is one of those rare plants that blooms profusely in almost complete shade, though it will take some sun too.

It's one fault, as far as I can say, is that the overall plant form is not particularly appealing. The stems are rather gawky. They get long and poke out at all kinds of angles. Cutting back only made this worse. This, however, is not a serious fault, it merely means that this plant makes great filler. It's not a stand alone kind of plant.
It produced tons of seed. I collected some, so that, just in case, the seeds in the ground don't come up, I can get them going. Oh yeah, it was very easy to start from seed too.
If you have early frosts (short falls), it might not earn its space rental, but otherwise, I'd recommend it.
Overall, I'd give it a B+.

Love browallia!

It's a great substitute for impatiens, a nice change of pace, especially the color - you won't find this color in an impatiens. Browallia likes the same conditions as impatiens. I find that part-shade is best, however. They tend to be bushier/fuller if they get some sun.

I grow from seed, as they are not usually available at the local nurseries in my area. Easy from seed, but growly slowly indoors. They really take off once planted out, though.

How early did you start them?? 6-8 weeks b-4 the last frost?

I usually start a little earlier than that, about 10-12 weeks, but 8 weeks would be fine. Like I said, they don't really do much under the lights in the house, they just putter along, but once outside they really take off. I get my seeds from Stokes Seeds.

Give the seedlings a drink of fish emulsion every two weeks after they germinate and they will respond with more rapid growth.

I'm contemplating - I start so much stuff in the house that it's tough to think about starting more.. but my yard is probably the perfect for them... I noticed Stokes had 3 colors - marine blue, silver bells and 'blue bells' (looked purple to me). Which do you suggest?

I like Blue Bells. Marine Bells is darker, Blue Bells is more of a mid-tone.

shoot, I already ordered the Marine Bells...

Nothing wrong with Marine Bells, I just prefer the lighter color of Blue Bells. Grow 'em and see what you think - you may love them!

In the picture they looked more purple - and I'm thinking I'd like the blue better.

I found several other plants that I start kinda peeter in the house, but once set out they take off. I frequently wonder if there IS an advantage to starting them SO early if they don't do well in the house anyway. I bought them, intend to try them... Thanks for the advice.

I am very pro-browallia. I like blue flowers, I like that they do well in shady-ish locations, I like that you don't have to deadhead. I find that they work best when they are trailing in and around other plants.

blimey, here in the UK, Browallia hasn't really caught on. I only really came across it through these forums and am trying myself this year. Does it need light to germinate? I am using a basic seed compost (John Innes) and have lightly covered the seeds with a fine layer. At the moment, they are in my kitchen - not getting bottom heat. Should they? Am really looking forward and will definately be spreading the word if they are successful.
cheers, folks

They shouldn't be covered with medium. Just gently tap them onto the moist medium, cover with clear plastic to prevent drying out (I use little the clear plastic containers - like the ones you get in a sandwhich shop), and place under a light source. I have a cart rigged up with fluoro. lights that generates enought light and heat, but if you don't have a light set up, you may need a heat mat. Obviously, I remove the plastic when they germinate, and like I mentioned before they're rather slow to do anything in the house, but they really take off once planted out.

Is Browallia something one should consider as "cover" for fading bulb foliage? Does Browallia allow enough light through to bulb foliage for bulb regeneration before it dies back?

Was going to try Impatiens and/or Lamium.

It's a small plot (4'W x 14' L) between garage wall and sidewalk.

Didn't plan well enough before planting so many spring blooming bulbs in one small plot. Zone 6 is too cold for most summer bulbs to be anything but expensive annuals and the deer would eat them before they could bloom anyway.

Is Browallia something one should consider as "cover" for fading bulb foliage? Does Browallia allow enough light through to bulb foliage for bulb regeneration before it dies back?

Was going to try Impatiens and/or Lamium.

It's a small plot (4'W x 14' L) between garage wall and sidewalk.

Didn't plan well enough before planting so many spring blooming bulbs in one small plot. Zone 6 is too cold for most summer bulbs to be anything but expensive annuals and the deer would eat them before they could bloom anyway.

As far as I'm concerned, browallia and impatiens are interchangeable - where one will work, so will the other.