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Blue Gilia Gilia capitata

Description

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:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#honey bees#nectar plant#blue flowers#cottage garden#specialized bees#summer flowers#rock garden#gray-green leaves#annual herb#sandy soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#wilson mg plant sale 2021#pollinator garden#wildlife friendly#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#honey bees#nectar plant#blue flowers#cottage garden#specialized bees#summer flowers#rock garden#gray-green leaves#annual herb#sandy soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#wilson mg plant sale 2021#pollinator garden#wildlife friendly#meadow
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herb
    Wildflower
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Capsules contain up to 3 seeds each
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Tall strong stems are glabrous to glandular and many branched.
  • 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