Mountain Garland (Clarkia unguiculata)

Mountain or Elegant Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata) is an annual wildflower in the Evening-Primrose family (Onagraceae). It is endemic (limited) to California, but is often sold in wildflower seed mixes throughout the country. Elegant clarkia has tall, thin stems, narrow leaves, and four spade-shaped petals in various shades of pink. Butterflies, moths, and bees are attracted to its flowers. It blooms in summer, when many wildflowers are finished for the year. Another popular name is woodland clarkia, and its natural habitat is indeed open woodlands. It usually is found growing in oak woodlands or mixed evergreen forest, with native grasses and other wildflowers that appreciate part shade. Sow seeds in fall and let the rain do the rest. Allow to self-sow in fall before cutting back dead stocks. Grow this clarkia in the middle or back of a flower bed where its tall, whimsical flowers make a charming backdrop. Or create a mini-meadow under an oak tree with native bunchgrasses, wild onion, white globe lily, and purple chinese houses. From Calscape.

Growers: Larner Seeds

Other Names Used: Woodland Clarkia, Elegant Clarkia

Family: Onagraceae

Life Cycle: Annual

Plant Type: Herb

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial

Bloom Period: Summer, Fall (June to September)

Bloom Color(s): Pink, Red

Plant Height: 3 feet tall

Plant Width: 3 feet wide

California Regions:

• San Francisco Bay Area
• North Coast
• Sierra Foothills
• Sierra Nevada
• Central California Coast
• Southern Coast
• Southern California Inland

Ecological Benefits:

• Attracts pollinators, birds, wildlife, bats

Ecological Functions:

• Grows in Containers
• Groundcover

Habitat Type:

• Chaparral
• Coastal Strand
• Valley Grassland
• Foothill Woodland 

Human Uses/Cautions: 

Skill Level: Beginner

Seed Pretreatment: None