Clarkia unguiculata (Elegant Clarkia)
Elegant Clarkia, Elegant Fairyfan, Mountain Garland, Clarkia elegans
Endemic to California, Clarkia unguiculata (Elegant Clarkia) is a tall, upright annual boasting loose spires of purple, rose, or white, 4-petaled flowers from late spring to early summer. Attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, the showy blossoms are borne on erect, spindly, reddish stems lined with occasional lanceolate leaves. They give way to elongated seed capsules, which split open when mature to release their numerous seeds. May reseed in the garden in optimum growing conditions. Easy to grow, low maintenance, Elegant Clarkia is suitable for beds and borders, wildflower and pollinator gardens. Excellent long-lasting cut flowers.
- Grows up to 18-36 in. tall (45-90 cm) and 8-12 in. wide (20-30 cm).
- Thrives in full sun or part shade in poor to moderately fertile, slightly acid, moist but well-drained soil. Appreciates good air circulation. Performs poorly in hot and humid summer weather.
- Great for beds and borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens.
- Cut back after flowering.
- Generally pest free. Keep an eye out for foot rot and stem rot. Deer resistant
- Propagate by seed. Sow seeds after last frost in cold-winter areas. Where winters are milder, sow seeds late summer through fall. Do not thin seedlings as crowding encourages blooming.
- Native to California.
Buy Clarkia unguiculata (Elegant Clarkia)
Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 10 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Annuals |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 8" – 1' (20cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California |
Tolerance | Deer |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage |
JKehoe_Photos, Joe Decruyenaere, Flickr, Sophie Leguil, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 10 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Annuals |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 8" – 1' (20cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California |
Tolerance | Deer |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage |