Alphabetical Plant Listing

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.

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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

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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

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