Clarkia
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLAR-kee-uh
- Description
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Clarkia is a genus of flowering annual plants that contains 40 different species. With one exception that is native to South America (C. tenella), the plants are native to western North America. Clarkia typically grow to 2 to 3 feet high, with some species longer. The flowers resemble hollyhock and can be white, pink, or red and many species are spotted. The leaves tend to be small. These plants provide habitat for pollinators, such as the Clarkia bee that relies exclusively on the plant. The genus is named after Captain William Clark, one of the leaders of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the common name, "Farewell-to-Spring" relates to the fact that the plants bloom at the end of the wildflower season.
Seeds can be sown lightly on the surface as they need light to germinate. This plant requires excellent soil drainage, full sun or light shade, and prefers cool night temperatures and light, sandy soil with modest fertility. When planting, allow 8 to 10 inches in spacing. Allow to dry out between waterings. Its season is summer to frost, unless exposed to high temperatures.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clarkia
- Family:
- Onagraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western North America, Southern South America
- Distribution:
- United Kingdom, Eastern Canada, New England
- Wildlife Value:
- Host plant for some caterpillars and bees.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Elongated, cylindrical pods, usually 4-grooved or 8-grooved, holding many tiny, cubical seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Description:
- Flowers have four sepals and four petals, usually white, pink, or red, and are often spotted or streaked and appear as hollyhock-type spires of double blooms on long stems.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are small and simple, from 1/3 of an inch to 3 inches in length depending on the species.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems on some varieties can be week and may need some support in the garden.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
