Plant of the Month (January) : Bicolor (Miniature) Lupine – Lupinus bicolor

Miniature (Bicolor) lupine (Lupinus bicolor) - in bloom

Very little is blooming in Mother Nature’s Gardens right now.  But the recent rains have coaxed a number of annual wildflower seeds to germinate. We’ve chosen one of these, the Bicolor or Miniature lupine, as our Plant of the Month.

Like many native species, Lupinus bicolor is the subject of current taxonomic debate.  The species shows morphologic variability within its range, and variants have been categorized as several separate species, as well as varieties and subspecies of Lupinus bicolor.  For simplicity, we’ll just discuss the species as a whole.  Former species which now are included in Lupinus bicolor are: Lupinus congdonii; Lupinus polycarpus; Lupinus rostratus; Lupinus sabulosus; Lupinus umbellatus and possibly others. 

The geographic range of Bicolor lupine stretches from British Columbia, Canada to Baja California, Mexico.  The species grows throughout the California Floristic Province (West of the Sierras) and in the western Mojave Desert.  In Western Los Angeles County, it can be found in the Santa Monica Mountains, on the Southern Channel Islands and in the Los Angeles Basin from the Transverse Ranges to the Pacific Ocean.  It is a common in open or disturbed areas from sea level to about 5000 ft. (1500 m.).  Like many annual wildflowers, it can be found in a number of California plant communities including the coastal strand, southern coastal prairie, valley grasslands, joshua tree woodland, yellow pine and mixed evergreen forest, and foothill woodland communities.

Bicolor lupine is one of about 75 species of Lupine native to California.  About one-third of them – including Lupinus bicolor – are annuals; the rest are perennials, sub-shrubs and shrubs.  All are members of the Pea Family, the Fabaceae. Like many in this family, Lupines have a unique relationship with special soil bacteria.  These bacteria live within nodules in the roots and convert nitrogen to a form that can be used by plants, through a process known as nitrogen fixation.  When the root dies, the converted nitrogen is released into the soil, improving soil fertility.

Miniature (Bicolor) lupine (Lupinus bicolor) - leaf

Miniature (Bicolor) lupine (Lupinus bicolor) - plants

 

Bicolor lupine is a small annual, usually less than one foot tall locally, with medium- to gray-green foliage clustered at the base of the plant.  The palmately compound leaves, which look like an open hand, have 5 to 7 leaflets and are covered in short, transparent hairs.  The leaf shape is typical for Lupines.  As can be seen in the photograph above, the hairs trap mist and fog quite effectively.

Miniature (Bicolor) lupine (Lupinus bicolor) 
 flowers & seed pods

 

The flowers of Lupinus bicolor are petite and charming, making them a favorite small wildflower.  This is a fairly early bloomer – often February or March in Western Los Angeles County, later in colder climates.  The flowers, which are usually less than ½ inch across (1/4 to 1 inch; < 2.5 cm.) are arranged in a spiral pattern (whorl) around short flowering stalks. The flowering stalks, often not much taller than the foliage, usually have 4-10 flowers per stalk (see above).

Miniature (Bicolor) lupine (Lupinus bicolor) - flower details

 

The individual flowers have a shape typical for the Pea Family, with petals modified into a ‘banner’, well-defined ‘wings’ and ‘keel’ (mostly hidden).  The flowers are two-toned: the banner is white with blue-purple spots or blotches, while the wings are blue-purple. Like other local lupines, the flower color changes from blue-purple to red-purple after a flower is pollinated, sending a cue to insect pollinators that no more nectar is being produced (see photo, above).

Miniature lupine is insect pollinated, primarily by bees.  The insect lands on the wing petals, causing them to move and reveal the sexual organs located in the keel.  The pollinating insect brushes against the stamens and stigma while retrieving nectar, thereby pollinating the flower.   The seeds develop in small ‘pea pods’ that burst open explosively when dry (mid- to late-Spring), spreading the seeds.

 

Miniature (Bicolor) lupine (Lupinus bicolor) - young seedlings

 

Bicolor lupine is fairly easy to grow from seed.  Like all lupines, the seeds have a hard seed coat; germination is enhanced by soaking them in hot tap water overnight before planting.  Seeds can then be planted in prepared seed beds or in pots for later transplanting.  Lupines tend to have long roots – in our area they are often easier to seed directly into the garden rather than transplant.   Be sure to plant seeds on bare ground or under a thin gravel mulch.   Plant just before a good rainstorm in late fall or winter, then rake in lightly; seedlings will appear in several weeks.

Lupines are an excellent source of nectar for bees, particularly the larger, early-flying species.  The foliage is a larval food source for Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) and several species of Blue butterflies.   The seeds, which are toxic if eaten in large quantities, are eaten by ground-foraging birds, particularly Doves.   They are an important food from summer through fall.

In summary, Lupinus bicolor is an annual wildflower that does well in California gardens and wildlands.  It likes sun, but is not particular about soil type.  If winter rains are adequate, Bicolor lupine needs no supplemental water, completing its life cycle before the summer dry season.

Miniature (Bicolor) lupine (Lupinus bicolor)
 Madrona Marsh Preserve, Torrance CA

 

We like to use Lupinus bicolor along pathways or in containers, where its small size can be adequately appreciated.  It is often grown, as in nature, with other local annual wildflowers, California poppies and cool season native grasses.  It is a charming seasonal groundcover on banks and around rain gardens and infiltration swales. 

A mass of Bicolor lupine, blooming in spring, is a sight for sore eyes.  If happy, it will re-seed in local gardens, returning whenever we have a rainy winter.  Lupinus bicolor is part of our unique natural heritage and a welcome reminder of the climate cycles that so characterize S. California.

Miniature (Bicolor) lupine (Lupinus bicolor) - mass planting

 

 

For a gardening information sheet see: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-lupinus-bicolor

For more pictures of this plant see: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/lupinus-bicolor-web-show

For plant information sheets on other native plants see: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html

 

 

 

We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: mothernaturesbackyard10@gmail.com

Plant of the Month (June) : Farewell-to-spring – Clarkia amoena

Farewell-to-spring (Clarkia amoena) in Mother Nature's Garden of Health

Right now, some the prettiest flowers are in Mother Nature’s Garden of Health; in fact, it was hard to choose between them.  But the showiest by far is Farewell-to-spring, Clarkia amoena.  Of the three Clarkias we grow, this is the latest to bloom – truly ‘Farewell-to-spring’ or ‘Summer’s Darling’.  To learn about our other Clarkias see: http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/01/plant-of-month-january-purple-clarkia.html and http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2014/05/plant-of-month-may-elegant-clarkia.html.

Farewell-to-spring is native to the coastal plains and ranges of Northern California north to British Columbia, Canada.  It generally grows in drier areas of its native range, making it a good choice for local gardens.   Like our more local Clarkias, this species is an annual wildflower.  Many annual wildflowers like the Clarkias adapt well to garden life, even outside their native range.

 

Farewell-to-spring (Clarkia amoena) - growth habit

Farewell-to-spring germinates in our garden in spring, when the weather begins to warm up.  The plants are many-branched with an open, somewhat stiff upright habit.  The leaves are narrow, alternate and usually a medium green.  The entire plant is 1-3 feet tall; in our garden Clarkia amoena is more robust than the Purple clarkia and more branched than the Elegant clarkia.

Farewell-to-spring (Clarkia amoena) - Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

In its native setting, Clarkia amoena blooms from June until August – sometimes even well into fall along the Northwest coast. It usually flowers when other wildflowers and cool-season grasses are turning brown (see above).  In Southern California gardens, it may begin blooming in May and will continue well into June or even July.  Flowering seems to depend on warm conditions, so a warm dry spring promotes earlier flowering.  The bloom season can be prolonged by summer water.

Farewell-to-spring (Clarkia amoena) - range of flower colors

This is perhaps the loveliest of the native Clarkias.  The flower color ranges from pale pink to bright magenta, ‘hot pink’, red and lavender.   The four petals are most commonly pink with darker magenta splotches towards the center. The flowers in our Garden of Health (below) represent this common form.

Farewell-to-spring (Clarkia amoena) - close-up of flowers

The flowers are approximately an inch across, with four petals characteristic of the Clarkias.  The petals are satiny/shiny and extremely vivid and lovely;  photographs rarely do them justice.  The 8 stamens (male organs) are divided among four short and four long forms (the long ones are obvious in the left flower above; they appear to be ‘striped’ with pollen).  The four fused stigma (female organs) are usually white and extend beyond the stamens (see the right flower, above).  Bees are the most common pollinators (see native bee in above photo), although flowers attract other insect pollinators and hummingbirds.

 

Farewell-to-spring (Clarkia amoena) - seedlings

Like many native annuals, Clarkia amoena is not fussy about soil type, doing equally well in sandy or clay soils.  It blooms well in full sun, light shade or even part-shade (several hours of sun a day).  It does need moist soils from the time of germination until it’s nearly ready to bloom.  In dry winters, you’ll need to supply some extra water.  

We sometimes (particularly when seeds are limited) start annual wildflower seedlings in pots.  Clarkias can be tricky; plant them out when they are 4-6 inches tall and only when the soil is moist and temperatures are cool.  Then be sure to keep them well-watered.    It’s often easier to just sow the seeds directly in the garden.   Plant them in winter, just before a good rain storm.  Barely cover them, as they need light to germinate.  And don’t worry about thinning the seedlings; they actually grow best when crowded (as they are in the wild).

Farewell-to-spring (Clarkia amoena) - Mother Nature's Garden of Health

We let Farewell-to-spring self-seed in our garden.  We allow the soils dry out as flowering ceases; then simply leave the seed pods on the plants to open and naturally reseed.  A thick layer of mulch is a common cause for decline of wildflowers over time.     All Clarkias need bare ground, a thin gravel/sand mulch or a very thin organic mulch to come back year after year.  We pull many a Clarkia amoena seedling from our decomposed granite (DG) pathways, which provide the perfect conditions for this annual.

Like other native Clarkias, the seeds of Farewell-to-spring are tasty and can be parched and eaten as a pinole or used as a seasoning in baked goods, on salads, etc.   The young plants can also be used as cooked greens (see  http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/02/california-gourmet-native-plants-for.html  and http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/03/california-gourmet-recipes-for-native.html ).

Pink Farewell-to-spring (Clarkia amoena) with yellow Gumplant (Grindelia camporum) 

In summary, visitors enjoy Clarkia amoena each year in our garden.  It provides a splash of bright pink color during the transition between spring and summer, when floral color can sparse.   Like all annual wildflowers, it’s a useful filler plant, particularly in young gardens where larger plants have yet to reach mature size.  And all Clarkias make wonderful cut flowers; in fact, some gardeners grow them for just this purpose. 

Consider including Farewell-to-spring in the summer flower garden, where it adds an old-fashioned charm.  If you need a spot of summer color on a porch or patio, grow it in a container (at least 12 x 12 inches).   Include it amongst the native grasses, where it contrasts so perfectly with the golden foliage.  And consider including it in the vegetable garden; it will dress up the garden while attracting insect pollinators to your summer vegetables. 

 

For a gardening information sheet see: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/clarkia-amoena

For more pictures of this plant see: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/clarkia-amoena-web-show

For plant information sheets on other native plants see: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html

 

We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: mothernaturesbackyard10@gmail.com

 

 

 

Sustainable Living: Managing Annual Wildflowers

 

Arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentis) - Mother Nature's Backyard

 

Annual wildflowers are among the most popular California native plants.  An important part of our natural heritage, they add unique colors and interest to the spring/summer garden.  We covered the basics of annual wildflower gardening in a previous posting:  http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/01/growing-california-wildflowers.html   Here we consider the sustainability side of growing annual wildflowers.

You may be puzzled about the idea of ‘managing’ wildflowers.  They are, after all, ‘wildflowers’; can’t they can simply manage themselves?  And indeed they can – in the wild.  But local gardens differ in important ways from wild lands.  In the case of annual wildflowers, several gardening choices play a key role in wildflower sustainability.

Removing spent annual wildflowers after seeds are gone

 

Late spring visitors are often surprised to see golden wildflower stalks among the blooming shrubs in Mother Nature’s Backyard.  One rarely sees drying flower stalks in public gardens; they are often removed as quickly as possible, to preserve the beauty of the garden.  The practice of ‘immediate removal’ of spent flowers does improve the appearance of a garden – but at a cost.  Understanding both the costs and benefits can help you make the right decisions for your own garden.

Our annual wildflowers are remarkably efficient organisms.  They germinate, flower and set seeds in only a few months, allowing them to succeed in our mediterranean climate.  Local annuals survive the long dry season as seeds; so their continued survival is entirely dependent on the formation of healthy, viable seeds.  Without seeds, the wildflowers will disappear from the garden.

The last stage of seed development is the ‘desiccation’ stage, during which seeds lose up to 95% of their water.  This extreme drying allows the embryo to enter a state of suspended animation; there it remains, unharmed by hot, dry weather, through the summer and fall.   When the winter rains begin, the seed and embryo quickly re-hydrate, allowing the embryo to begin growing and thence to germinate.

Seed pods - Arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentis)

It’s often impossible to tell whether seeds have matured to the desiccation state before they enter it.  If collected too early, seeds may not yet be ready; even if allowed to dry, they may not be viable.   The safest strategy is to allow seeds to dry naturally on the plants. They can then be collected (important for seeds that are heavily eaten by birds) or allowed to naturalize in the garden.   

And that’s why visitors to our garden see drying flower stalks this time of year. They are very noticeable (see above).  But what’s nearly invisible is the process of seed desiccation - taking place in every pod, capsule and flower head.   A true miracle of life, though sometimes not a tidy one!

Annual wildflower stems used as mulch

In Mother Nature’s Backyard we emphasize life-friendly gardening.  We do several things to support the continued survival of annual wildflowers in the garden.

1. We allow seeds to desiccate on the plants.
2. We collect some seeds for storage, sharing or propagation. We collect more of the seeds that can be over-eaten by birds (Elegant clarkia [Clarkia unguiculata], Tidytips [Layia platyglossa] and the Goldfields [Lasthena species] come to mind).  The remaining seeds are allowed to self-sow (naturalize) in bare areas of the garden.
3. When dead plants are finally removed, they are used as mulch, further spreading the remaining seeds and providing summer mulch.  Because ours is a public garden, we try to make our mulch as inconspicuous as possible.
4. Some areas of the garden are left covered with only a thin organic or inorganic (gravel) mulch.  The mulch helps protect seeds from over-predation by  birds.   And the thin mulch allows them to successfully germinate.

These time-honored practices have been followed by Native Californians and sustainable gardeners for thousands of years.  They mimic the ways of Mother Nature, providing food for animals and humans, while helping sustain the plant species.   They are life-friendly and sustainable.

So when our tidy-up instincts tempt us to remove plants, we remind ourselves of the benefits of waiting, just a bit, for seeds to complete their cycles. We look forward to next year’s wildflowers with hope and expectation.  We hope you’ll consider doing the same in at least a few areas of your own garden.

 

We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: mothernaturesbackyard10@gmail.com

 

 

 

Plant of the Month (June) : Globe Gilia – Gilia capitata

Globe Gilia (Gilia capitata) flowering in Mother Nature's Backyard

Such an odd year for native plants.  With the cold winter and dry conditions we’ve quickly transitioned to summer and many spring wildflowers have long since gone to seed.  Fortunately, a few late-planted spring wildflowers – including the Globe Gilia – are still attracting insect pollinators in Mother Nature’s Backyard.

Globe Gilia (and other California Gilias) are members of the Polemoniaceae or Phlox Family.   California is the center of diversity for this family, which includes some 25 genera and over 300 species.  The Phlox family is known for its unique, three-chambered ovary (more on this later) and flowers in parts of five.   Members of the family – including the genera Linanthus and Phlox - are best known as pretty, old-fashioned garden flowers.

Globe Gilia (Gilia capitata [pronounced  JEEL-ee-uh  cap-ee-TAY-tuh])  is endemic to (occurs only in) Southern California from Santa Barbara county south into Baja California, Mexico.   Records indicate it once grew from the coastal prairies of western Los Angeles County to the foothills of local mountain ranges.  It grew as well as on the Southern Channel Islands.   The species usually occurs in sunny places with well-drained soils up to 6000 ft. elevation.  Like other California wildflowers, it often is seen after wildfires.   Globe Gilia is most common in the Southern Coastal Prairie, Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral and Yellow Pine Forest plant communities.

As seen above, Globe Gilia is one of our more attractive annual wildflowers.  Its lacy foliage is delicate and lovely, creating a froth of medium green at the base of the plant.   Plants grow 1-3 ft tall and perhaps 1-2 feet wide.  The growth habit varies somewhat with growing conditions: plants are taller in part shade than in full sun and are more bushy and lush with abundant water. 

In the wilds, Globe Gilia can bloom anytime from April to July or later.  With adequate water, the plant reseeds and continues to produce offspring in late spring and summer.  In fact, you can extend the bloom season by sowing seeds every 2-3 weeks from December through May.  This old gardener’s trick is known as ‘serial sowing’; it works well with native wildflowers like the Clarkias and Globe Gilia.   As long as you supply water, plants will continue to develop and bloom well into summer.

 

Flower Cluster - Globe Gilia (Gilia capitata)

 

Globe Gilia is a favorite of native and non-native pollinators (like native bees and the European Honeybee).   Plants produce many small flowers in loose or dense ball-like clusters, making it easy for insects to move from flower to flower.  Globe Gilia flowers have a relatively open architecture, giving easy access to pollen and  nectar – the food of native pollinators.  In addition to native bees, the flowers attract butterflies and even hummingbirds will sip their nectar.   In fact, Globe Gilia is a good all-round pollinator plant that deserves to be planted more widely.  For example, Globe Gilia can be used to attract pollinators to a vegetable garden or fruit trees, increasing their yields.   To learn more about Pollinator Gardens see our next posting (June 2013).

 

Globe Gilia seedlings

Like most native wildflowers, Globe Gilia is quite simple to grow in our climate.  While it can be grown in pots and transplanted, we find that direct sowing usually works best. Seeds can be sown from late fall though spring in winter-mild climates.    Globe Gilia succeeds in any local soil from very sandy to clay.  It does best in full sun but takes part-shade.  And it needs adequate water from the time it germinates until it begins to set seeds.  For more tips on growing wildflowers see our January 2013 posting ‘Growing California Wildflowers’.

 

Globe Gilia (Gilia capitata) with native grasses and
yellow Tidy-tips (Layia platyglossa)

Globe Gilia is favored by gardeners for its lacy foliage, upright growth habit and attractive flowers.   The flower color – which ranges from light blue to intense blue-purple – combines well with yellow-flowered wildflowers like Tidy-tips (above), the Goldfields (Lasthena species) and the Suncups (Camissonia species).  Globe Gilia also looks glorious massed and will attract the most summer pollinators when planted thus.  Be sure to plant enough for use as cut flowers; Globe Gilias make a nice addition to floral arrangements.

Like all annual wildflowers, Gilia capitata is a great filler plant around shrubs, in containers and in out-of-the-way spots in the garden.   Globe Gilia is used in European and California cottage gardens; as a taller plant it may require support, particularly along walkways.   It combines well with native grasses, annuals and perennials to form a ‘natural lawn’ or coastal prairie planting.  In short, Globe Gilia is an adaptable annual with many potential uses in the garden.

 

Dry seed capsules with a few tan seeds - Globe Gilia
 (Gilia capitata). Note the three-chambered capsule
(developed from three-part ovary)
 

Globe Gilia produces plenty of small tan-colored seeds after flowering.  The seed capsule (pod) is formed from the three-chambered ovary common to the Phlox family.  When seeds are ripe, the dried capsule opens, releasing the seeds (see above).   Seeds are easily collected by inverting the flowering heads into a paper bag.    In some gardens, Globe Gilia is a reliable re-seeder.   In our experience, the seeds are often eaten by hungry birds; so collect some seed and store in a cool, dry place for next year’s garden.

 

For a gardening information sheet see: http://www.nbs.csudh.edu/biology/projectsound/native_plants/gallery_g.shtml 

 

 

 

Plant of the Month (April) : Bird’s-eye (Tricolor) Gilia - Gilia tricolor

It’s April and many native plants are blooming.  Particularly lovely are the annual wildflowers, which we’ve had to water several times this winter/spring due to very dry conditions (1/2 the normal rainfall).  Despite the dry weather, the Bird’s-eye Gilia, Arroyo Lupine (Plant of the Month April 2012) and other wildflowers are putting on quite a show for our April wildflower events!

 Annual wildflowers are among the crown jewels of our California natural heritage.  Gardeners throughout the world plant California natives like Lupines, Clarkias and California Poppies.  During the 1800’s, explorers gathered seeds of many California  wildflowers and brought them back to Europe.  They have brightened gardens world-wide ever since. 

Bird’s-eye Gilia is a member of the Phlox Family (Polemoniaceae), which is relatively common in California.    Like most in this family, it has flowers in parts of five and a 3-chamber ovary and seed capsule.   Like other members of the family, Bird’s-eye Gila is used regularly in gardens.  And this leads to one of the true puzzles regarding this species: is it native to Los Angeles County and further south?

Bird’s-eye (Tricolor) Gilia is still common along California’s north coast, Sierra Foothills and Central Valley.  The earliest voucher records for Gilia tricolor in Los Angeles County come from the early 1930’s (California Consortium of Herbaria).  By comparison, records for Gilia angelensis, a similar species, are numerous dating back to the 1880’s.  So is Gilia tricolor a Los Angeles native or an escapee from early native plant gardens?  We think the jury is still out – but urge viewers more knowledgeable than us to weigh in.  At any rate, Gilia tricolor is readily available from seed companies, while Gilia angelensis is not; we gardeners will have to content ourselves with Gilia tricolor for the time being.

Like most annual wildflowers, the size of Bird’s-eye Gilia is strongly related to soil moisture.  It can grow as short as 4-6 inches in a hot, dry spring – or as tall as 2-3 feet in a well-watered garden.  In the wilds – or if you sow seed directly into the garden – Gilia tricolor can grow densely packed.  Like many of our annual wildflowers, it doesn’t seem to mind the crowding; so you don’t need to thin the seedlings.  If you start Gilia tricolor in pots, space the plants every 15-20 inches when you plant them out.  Then you can fully appreciate the foliage and flowers.

 

Gilia tricolor (Bird's-eye Gilia): grown in a pot to accent
flowers and foliage

 

Tricolor Gilia has bright to medium green foliage.  The leaves are finely lobed, giving the plant a delicate, fern-like appearance (see above).  The foliage makes a pleasant contrast with other spring annuals like Tidy-tips, Goldfields and the Lupines.   The plants are many-branched, giving them a bushy appearance.

 

Bird's-eye (Tricolor) Gilia in wildflower garden
 with gravel mulch

 

The flowers are what make Bird’s-eye Gilia so appealing.  From a distance, the plants appear covered in small white flowers (see above).  At close range, you appreciate the complex color scheme of these little flowers.  Flowers range from about ¼ to ½ inch in width and are solitary or in small, loose clusters.  The five petals are fused into a trumpet-shaped corolla.  The outer lobes are white to pale blue or violet.  The corolla tube is yellow with distinctive blotches of dark purple (see photo below).  A finishing touch is provided by the powder blue stamens.  The result is nothing short of extraordinary!  The common name – Bird’s-eye – refers to the flower’s coloration, which is said to resemble a bird’s eye. 

 

Gilia tricolor - Close-up view of flowers

 

The old-fashioned flowers of the Bird’s-eye Gila are numerous.  On a warm spring day, their aroma can be quite strong.  To some, the scent is reminiscent of chocolate; to others, it smells more musky than chocolatey.   Either way, the plants attract hummingbirds, native bees and an occasional butterfly. 

Bird’s-eye Gilia is easy to grow.  In fact, it makes a good choice for a child’s garden.  Because birds love the seed, the best bet is to sprinkle the seeds just before a good rainstorm.  Rake the seeds in lightly, then keep the soil moist during the growing season.  In many years, rain provides enough winter/spring water in our area.  But don’t hesitate to water if needed.

 

Gilia tricolor ( Bird's-eye Gilia) - seedlings

Seeds germinate in 2-3 weeks.  The seedlings are distinctive looking (see photo above).   Once flowering slows down, taper off the water to let the seeds develop.   You can either collect the seeds (see picture of the seed capsule, below) or let the plants re-seed naturally.  For more on gardening with annual wildflowers see our January 2013 posting.

 

Gilia tricolor (Bird's-eye Gilia) - dried seed capsule
 opening to reveal tan-colored seeds

 

There are many ways to use Bird’s-eye Gilia in the home garden.  This is not a persnickety plant; in fact, it thrives on neglect.  It can be grown in full sun or part-shade.   So it’s a perfect choice for areas that are difficult to access or water.   Gilia tricolor looks good when grown with other yellow, white or blue-purple native annuals (see  http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/south-bay-native-plants-annual-wildflower-311 for a list of annual wildflowers recommended for S. California gardens). 

One of our favorite ways to grow wildflowers is in pots, providing a splash of color on patios, porches and walkways.   Bird’s-eye Gilia is right at home in any flower bed and makes a good filler between shrubs and under tall trees.   Consider using it as a short-term ground cover until larger plants grow to size.   It also makes a good pollinator plant around the edges of a vegetable garden or home orchard.

Gilia tricolor in garden - they are the shorter plants in front

 

Be sure to plant enough Bird’s-eye Gilia to provide seeds for next year and flowers for drying.  The flowers can be pressed or dried (see our posting on pressed flowers later this month) and retain their colors well.  The flowers also make nice cut flowers for bouquets.   However you use them, the flowers of Bird’s-eye Gila are sure to capture your heart!

Questions?  e-mail us at : mothernaturesbackyard10@gmail.com

 

Please feel free to comment, below