Gilia capitata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- GIL-lee-ah ka-pi-TAY-ta
- Description
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Globe Gilia is an easy-to-grow annual herb in the phlox family that is native to much of the western USA from Alaska to northern Mexico. It has been introduced to the eastern USA. The plant can vary in appearance depending on where it is growing as there are several subspecies. It can reach anywhere from 6 to 35 inches in height but generally up to 2 feet tall. The showy globe-shaped light blue to blue-violet flowers occur from May-July and rise above the fern-like leaves.
The plant withstands many soil types but prefers dry, rocky or sandy soils in full sun. It will tolerate clay soil but needs good drainage and partial shade. It propagates easily by seeds. This is an excellent pollinator plant attracting bees and butterflies to its abundant nectar.
Use this plant in a drought-tolerant garden, a rock garden, a border, a pollinator garden or a cottage-type garden. Because it will self-seed it can be utilized in naturalized areas or meadows but doesn't do well with a lot of competition. Deadhead after blooming and you may get repeat blooms. Do not overwater. Left on its own the plant will bloom and then die down during the heat of summer and set seed for next spring.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gilia
- Species:
- capitata
- Family:
- Polemoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Alaska south to western U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- A nectar source for bees and all butterflies
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Wildflower
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Capsules contain up to 3 seeds each
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 50-100 tiny light blue to blue-violet tubular flowers with five petals and prominent stamens appear in puffball clusters 1" across. Can bloom May through July with deadheading. Lighly scented.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Gray-green leaves are finely dissected and composed of linear leaflets with hairs. They are basal and grow up the stem getting smaller as they ascend.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Tall strong stems are glabrous to glandular and many branched.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
