Clarkia
( KLARK - ee - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of flowering annual plants need light shade in hot climates, but can get full sun otherwise. They need regular waterings, and their flowers will attract birds to your garden. Native to western South and North America but have naturalized themselves in California. They grow during the cooler months of the year and bloom in spring and early summertime. They are great as added color in border plantings, and will attract native pollinators to your garden.
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Clarkia Species and Varietals
The genus Clarkia includes over 40 species and is a member of the plant family Onagraceae. Clarkia grows best in zones A2, A3, and 1-24. For more growing information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Clarkia amoena (Godetia amoena, Godetia grandiflora) (Farewell-To-Spring, Godetia) This species is native to British Columbia and California (as far south as the Bay Area). There are two wild types in this species; one that has coarse stems and is sprawling (4-5 inches tall) and one that has more slender stems and grows to 2.5 feet tall. Flowers are lavender to pink in color with crimson blotches. Other subspecies and varieties include 'Farewell to Spring' (commonly cultivated as a garden ornamental), 'Grace' (a wonderful choice for cut flowers), and 'Satin' (a more compact cultivar). |
Clarkia australis (Small's Southern Clarkia) This species of Clarkia is endemic to California and is considered endangered due to logging and other activities in its native range. This is an annual species, producing one flower stem at a time topped with an inflorescence of mottled or spotted lavender, red, or purple flowers. |
Clarkia biloba (Twolobe Clarkia, Two Lobed Clarkia) This species is native to California and reaches 3.3 feet tall at maturity. Flowers are pink to purple-red, and commonly have white marks at petal bases. Petals are cut, forming an elongated heart shape. Flowers bloom in May, continuing through August. |
Clarkia bottae (Punchbowl Godetia, Botta's Clarkia, Botta's Fairyfan, Hill Clarkia) These plants produce spindly, waxy stems that can reach a bit over three feet tall at maturity. Flowers are bowl-shaped and lavender to pinkish, commonly seen with reddish speckles. Cultivar 'Lilac Pixie' is a commonly grown garden ornamental. |
Clarkia cylindrica (Speckled Fairyfan, Speckled Clarkia) These Clarkias are native to California's southern coastal mountain ranges, western Transverse Ranges, and southern Sierra Nevadas. These plants reach 1.6 feet tall when mature, and flowers are pink, white, lavender, magenta, and reddish, often speckled with purple-pink. |
Clarkia epilobioides (Canyon Clarkia, Willow Herb Clarkia) This species of Clarkia is native to California, Arizona, and Baja California, where it prefers to grow in woodland and chaparral natural landscapes. These plants reach about a foot and a half tall at maturity, and produce small white to cream-colored flowers that fade to pink as they age. |
Clarkia exilis (Kern River Clarkia, Slender Clarkia) This uncommonly-seen species is native to western North America, and reaches about a foot and a half tall when mature. Leaves are green, and flowers are borne on slender stems. Blooms are comprised of slender petals with a wide tip, and are commonly magenta to pink and white. |
Clarkia franciscana (Presidio Clarkia) This species is endemic to the San Francisco Bay Area, where it grows in five populations, located in the Presidio of San Francisco and Oakland. It is considered endangered, and reaches about 16 inches tall, producing white and pink blooms, often with red centers. |
Clarkia imbricata (Vine Hill Clarkia) This species is endemic to Sonoma County, California, and is critically endangered due to development activities in its native range. Dense infloresences of pink to white flowers with magenta blotches at the petal bases are produced in spring and summer. Petals are frilly along the edges, giving them a somewhat tropical look. |
Clarkia mildrediae (Mildred's Clarkia) This species is endemic to California, where it prefers to grow in forested regions in the southern Cascade Range to the northern Sierra Nevadas. These plants reach over a foot and a half tall at maturity, and produce flowers that are pink with reddish-magenta markings and protruding violet-pink stamens. |
Clarkia mosquinii (Mosquin's Clarkia) This species' native range includes the area between Butte and Plumas counties in northern California. These plants were believed to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1991. Mosquin's Clarkia is an erect plant reaching over a foot and a half tall when mature. Flowers are light to medium purple and are sometimes speckled with reddish markings. |
Clarkia prostrata (Prostrate Clarkia) Stems in this species reach out across open soil, lengthening to a foot and a half at maturity and sending out roots at nodes. Stems are somewhat fuzzy and reddish. Flowers are lavender-pink and petals can be fan-shaped or ovular, sometimes with a white or yellow marking and red spot at the base. These plants love growing along coastal bluffs close to forested areas. |
Clarkia purpurea (Winecup Clarkia, Winecup Fairyfan, Purple Clarkia) This species, native to western areas in North America, is found in a diverse range of habitats. This plant produces a thin, reddish stem topped with pink, purple, or deep wine-red flowers, often with a pink or red spot in the middle. |
Clarkia rhomboidea (Diamond Clarkia, Forest Clarkia) Native to western North America, these plants are home in woodland and forest areas. Stems are spindly. and support thin-petaled pink to magenta flowers with blue-grey pollen. These plants reach about three feet tall at maturity, and often grow in groups. |
Clarkia springvillensis (Springville Clarkia) This species of Clarkia is native to Tulare County, California, where it grows around Springville. It is a critically endangered species, and reaches about three feet at maturity. Flowers are pink-lavender with reddish-magenta bases. This species was first formally described in 1964. |
Clarkia unguiculata (Clarkia elegans) (Clarkia, Mountain Garland) This California native flower has an upright habit and grows to 1-4 feet tall. Stems are reddish and flowers come in rose, purple, and white. Some varieties of the species have double flowers in colors like white, orange, salmon, crimson, purple, rose, pink, or creamy yellow. The flowers will attract bees to your garden. Cultivars include 'Albatross' (pictured; with double white flowers), 'Firebrand' (with brick red blooms), 'Gloriosa' (with red flowers), 'Lilac' (with deep pink-purple blooms), and 'Tall Double Mix' (a wildflower seed mix with double flowers in various colors). |
Clarkia williamsonii This species is native to the woodlands and foothills of the Sierra Nevadas in northern and central California. Each fan-shaped, wide petal is lavender-pink, marked with white on the bottom half and with a magenta-purple spot towards the center. The flower color can vary, and is sometimes solid deep red. |
Caring for Clarkia
These plants do not enjoy being transplanted, so sow in place in fall (in mild winter areas) or spring (in areas that have cooler temperatures). They do best in sandy soil with no added fertilizer. Soil should be kept moist during seedling and flowering periods.
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 251, Clarkia
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