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Home , Clarkia, Gilia, Phacelia

Originally published in The American Gardener, January/February 2015

Left: Visitors from around the world flock to California in early spring to view spectacles such as this luminous display of California poppies in Antelope Valley, located in northern Los Angeles County, California. Above: Douglas meadowfoam (Limnanthes douglasii) is native from central California north into Oregon. Its Taming California’s Wildflowers name honors Scottish hunter David Douglas, who explored western North America in the early 19th century.

With a little care, gardeners in different regions of North America can successfully grow some and five or six months of uninterrupted known as meadowfoam. Most familiar even a footprint. Two weeks after a faint of the West’s spectacular native wildflowers. BY JUDITH LARNER LOWRY drought—as we experienced last year—is is Douglas meadowfoam (L. douglasii), sprinkle, the sturdy, lobed seedlings appear. not surprising. Rain can be scanty or con- which grows six to eight inches tall with Meadowfoam looks best when grown tinuous, varying from southern parts of deeply lobed . Its striking five-pet- in masses three feet wide or more. But if the state up to and beyond the northern aled are bright yellow in the cen- you don’t have that kind of space, it also Y ARRIVAL in California From an ecological standpoint, Cal- and seed-growing grounds in Bolinas, boundaries, where California’s ecological ter with white tips. These bloom from thrives in containers, where, if watered one April almost four de- ifornia is more diverse than the rest just up the coast from San Francisco. zones merge with those of Oregon. February to May on the West Coast. regularly, it often reseeds, germinates, and M cades ago just happened to of the country. Because of this, some In the wild, California’s annual wild- Other meadowfoams that make good flowers again in a single season. coincide with a good wildflower year. As are challenging to cultivate out- CLIMATE BASICS flowers begin to germinate with the fall and garden subjects include Point Reyes mead- I explored sunlit fields of sky-blue lupines side their natural range and climate, In to grow California’s wildflow- winter rains, make root growth and early owfoam (L. douglasii ssp. var. sulphurea), BABY BLUE-EYES Baby blue-eyes (Nemoph- and golden poppies, with baby blue-eyes, while others are quite adaptable. ers, it’s helpful to understand the basic aboveground growth in winter and early which is native slightly north of our nursery ila menziesii) is the star member of a of Chinese houses, and gilias in shaded corners, The good news is that among the rich template of the state’s Mediterranean spring, starting to bloom as early as Janu- and has deep yellow gold blossoms. Ranging low-growing beauties that reach six inches to I began my “education by wildflowers.” diversity of wildflowers native to Cali- climate, where cool, wet winters are fol- ary and February. The same holds true for even further north is white meadowfoam(L. a foot tall. Its small flowers, sky blue around Through the years, I continued to ob- fornia and neighboring western states, lowed by warm, dry summers. parts of Oregon and Arizona, while in the alba), which has pure white flowers. white centers, provide a rich contrast to the serve and enjoy the annual wildflower there are a number of species that can This pattern is endlessly nuanced every rest of the country, seeds planted in mid- to Meadowfoam is one of several Western oranges and yellows of spring composites bloom, growing many of these plants for be grown as annuals in other regions of year, with rain starting anytime from Sep- late spring will bloom in summer. wildflowers that favor vernal pools and sea- and the pinks and lavenders of midsummer Larner Seeds, the company I founded in North America. Among these are the tember—or not—and continuing either sonal wetlands. Vernal pools have a complex clarkias. At Larner Seeds, we sow it sequen- 1977. This process taught me, in the most plants I am focusing on in this article, sporadically or uninterruptedly through MEADOWFOAM Some of the toughest ecology that is difficult to reproduce artifi- tially, starting as early as October for early pleasant way possible, the bones of what I drawn from 10 genera of the many I have March—or not. It almost never rains and most reliably reseeding wildflowers cially, but meadowfoam will thrive in the spring bloom, and as late as April for bloom

needed to learn about my adopted state. personal experience with at our nursery in June, July, or August, rarely in May, PETERSMITH JUDYWHITE,GARDENPHOTOS.COM are in the genus Limnanthes, commonly tiniest of dips and hollows that collect water, in midsummer.

32 the American Gardener January / February 2015 33 Also prostrate in habit is fivespot(N. mac- Bird’s-eye gilia (), adapt- ulata), native to the Sierra Nevada foothills able to sun or part-shade, has one- to two- WAYS TO GROW WILDFLOWERS and south, which has snowy-white flowers foot stems. The most common form of Here are some guidelines for how to use these annual wildflowers in your garden. The tipped with deep purple spots that serve as this variable species has exquisitely tinted keys to success are to keep plantings free from weeds, protect them from birds, slugs, guides for the solitary bees that pollinate it. flowers only a half-inch across, with deep and snails, and provide sufficient water for germination and early growth. Nemophilas shine in the forefront of lavender-purple at the edges shading to a border and in containers. Unlike white, the purple-black inner base sets off BEDS AND BORDERS Seeds can be directly sown onto prepared ground by broad- most of the other wildflowers discussed the blue pollen on the stamens, a charac- casting, or for more controlled kinds of plantings, you may choose to start them in here, they grow best in part shade, espe- teristic of the genus. These flowers have four-inch pots to allow for design. For example, if you are planting your wildflowers cially in warmer regions, and can use a an unusually long bloom period and can in standard flower beds, the main consideration is height. Plant the tallest species, bit of extra moisture during dry spells. In be used to unify a planting or a bouquet. such as tansyleaf phacelia, mountain garland, and globe gilia, in the back. Mid-size species include Chinese houses, tidy tips, and ruby chalice clarkia. And low-growers such as baby blue-eyes and Douglas meadowfoam should be in the front. For this type of controlled planting, at our nursery we grow seedlings in four- inch pots in an unheated greenhouse, beginning in October. In cooler regions, such as the East and Midwest, seeds should be sown in March. We sow four to 10 seeds per pot, cover them lightly and keep them evenly moist. Once they germinate, you may choose to pluck out all but one of the seedlings, or leave them growing closely, as they do in nature. Expect germination within two weeks at temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, somewhat slower in colder situations. Transplant them outdoors a couple of weeks after your local frost-free date.

WILDFLOWER MIXES Sowing wildflower mixes directly where they are to grow provides a sampler of many species, and a succession of bloom, from the earliest spring bloomers to those flowering from late summer to early fall. One thing to be aware of is that when a large number of species is included, the taller and more vigorous tend to eliminate the shorter. Avoid packaged mixes that include weedy or non-native species.

SWATHE PLANTING If you have a fairly large area to work with, you can create a dra- matic effect by sowing three or four species in large masses that overlap slightly. This kind of composition is frequently seen in nature, as shown below in the pho- NemophilaNemophila maculatamaculata Gilia tricolor tograph taken at the Carrizo Plain National Monument in south-central California. regions with hot, humid summers, sow Globe gilia (G. capitata) bears tight them as early as possible or sow in late heads of dusty, medium blue flowers. Its summer for fall bloom. Transplanting re- upright, almost bushy stems, covered with quires a bit of extra care because of their bluish-green leaves, usually grow one to somewhat weak stems, so they are more two feet tall in lean soil. easily grown by sowing the seed in place. MOUNTAIN Growing 12 to CLARKIA Clarkias almost singlehandedly 18 inches tall with a tendency to sprawl, extend California’s annual wildflower sea- mountain phlox (Leptosiphon grandiflo- son into the summer, with numerous spe- rus, syn. Linanthus grandiflorus) has tiny, cies presenting their lavender, pink, rose, to bloom well into October in milder Mountain garland (C. unguiculata), tall needlelike dark green leaves and fragrant and occasionally white blossoms among climates. The wild form, with smaller, and slender with tiny, deeply lobed pale pink or white flowers with a yellow summer’s dry golden grasses. Providing the paler markings and smaller flowers, is clinging to its elongated flower spikes. In center that serve as a foil to the hot pinks wildflower season’s last flowery moment is better suited for those who prefer a more the wild, the single flowers range from white of clarkias. Native to northern Califor- farewell-to-spring (). delicate appearance. to pink or purple, but hybrids with double nia, it blooms in mid-season, but with An unnamed horticultural form of Punchbowl godetia (C. bottae), of- flowers and a greater range of pastel colors supplemental moisture will keep going farewell-to-spring that we sell produces fers large pale lavender-pink blossoms are available. Growing two to four feet tall, into the summer. flowers as large as three inches across, in with white centers. Ruby chalice clarkia it is ideal for the back of a flower border and Smaller Leptosiphon species are dain- CONTAINERS You can sow seeds of native wildflowers directly in containers, bare- a variety of deep and pale pinks, laven- (C. rubicunda) is dazzling June through makes a good cut flower. ty, with exquisitely simple, intensely-col- ly covering them with a layer of soil. Keep the soil evenly moist. Lower-growing ders, and whites with striking markings. August, with a striking deep red-purple ored magenta flowers. Mountain phlox is species work better in containers than taller ones. Shallow pots, eight inches to a Growing one to two feet tall, it is a true heart at the base of the petals setting off GILIA Two species in the genus Gilia good in containers or planted in clusters foot deep, are good for nemophilas, Chinese houses, punchbowl clarkia, and oth- workhorse in the garden, blooming long the pale pink of the blossoms. It’s hard to are frequently used in gardens. Both are by itself, but it can be overpowered in a ers. The potential combinations, whether inspired by nature or by the gardener’s and reseeding well. Adaptable to a vari- pick favorites in this genus, but if I had sturdy and adaptable, but they offer a wildflower mix containing taller species. creative process, are endless. —J.L.L.

ety of soils, it can be sown in late April to, this would be mine. contrast in habit and appearance. LEFT:MICHAEL THOMPSON.S. RIGHT: SAXONHOLT. LEFT:JERRYRIGHT: PAVIA. PETERSMITH. Enjoy the fragrant flowers in a bouquet.

34 the American Gardener January / February 2015 35 CHINESE HOUSES Chinese houses (Col- of meadowfoam, with pure yellow flower a musky fragrance at day’s end. Well linsia heterophylla, syn. C. bicolor) is one of centers sharply defined by creamy white pet- Resources known for attracting beneficial insects, it some 20 species in the genusCollinsia , main- al tips. It grows on sturdy one- to two-foot California Native Plants for the Garden is often grown with row crops. It tolerates ly native to the western United States. Relat- stems bearing finely dissected foliage. Rela- by Carol Bornstein, David Fross, and sun or part shade and is a vigorous re- ed to snapdragons, it is aptly named, with tives in different parts of the state share its Bart O’Brien. Cachuma Press, Los seeder. Grow it with other tall species like regularly spaced, pagodalike tiers of two- daisylike appearance, with some having all Olivas, CA, 2005. Clarkia unguiculata, as it will crowd out lipped pale pink or white and pink-purple white and others all yellow flowers. Gardener’s Guide to California Wild- lower-growing nemophilas or collinsias. blossoms circling 16- to 18-inch-tall stems. Tidytips seems to handle a wide range flowers by Kevin Connelly. Theodore While in bloom, the plants glow from of soil types, including clay soil that by the Payne Foundation, Sun Valley, CA, A PLACE FOR WILDFLOWERS within shady and semi-shady nooks or on time of its bloom in April is already drying 1991. The natural spectacle created by Califor- north-facing slopes. Chinese houses is not into a pattern of cracks like a jigsaw puzzle. nia’s annual wildflowers is threatened by heat tolerant, so should be sown as early as Sow seeds where you want them to grow, Sources a variety of factors, primarily competi- possible in regions with warm summers and because tidytips doesn’t transplant well. Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, tion with weeds. Accordingly, anything planted to receive some protection from the LayiaLayia platyglossaplatyglossa Hemizonia congesta ssp. luzulaluzula Richmond, CA. (888) 266-4370. that controls the weedy species—includ- heat of the day. However, it is quite capable TARWEED Tarweeds include a number of www.anniesannuals.com. ing hand-weeding, sheet mulching, con- of handling full sun in milder climates. different genera that have in common daisy- on hands and feet. It has a pungent, fresh From an ecological standpoint, it is best The Fragrant Path, Fort Calhoun, NE. trolled grazing, and even extreme events like flowers in yellow or white. The common smell beloved by some. for California gardeners to avoid contam- www.fragrantpathseeds.com. like fires and floods—can be good for the TIDYTIPS The daisylike flowers of tidytips name stems from a sticky substance that ex- Growing from one to two feet tall, inating gene pools by sowing seed that’s J.L. Hudson, Seedsman, La Honda, wildflowers. As colonizer plants, sun-lov- (Layia platyglossa) mirror the color pattern udes from foliage and stems and can rub off Hayfield tarweed (Hemizonia congesta not native to their region. For gardeners CA. www.jlhudsonseeds.com. ing native wildflowers like open ground ssp. luzula) is a too rarely grown annual living in other parts of the country, this Larner Seeds, Bolinas, CA. (415) and aren’t fussy how they get it. that provides welcome golden flowers in is not a concern. 868-9407. www.larnerseeds.com. Agriculture can go hand in hand with late summer. Its insect-attracting quali- Sow seeds in very early spring, or in Nichols Garden Nursery, Albany, OR. wildflowers, or be antithetical to it. A ties are an added benefit in the garden, late summer in mild-winter climates. (541) 928-9280. case in point is the farm field where I first where it thrives with lean soil and full Free draining sandy or loamy soil is ideal. www.nicholsgardennursery.com. admired meadowfoam seed. This field sun. Hayfield tarweed reseeds well in cul- California poppies have a long taproot, had many seeps running through it and tivation, yet has not fared as well in its so if you plan to start them in pots, trans- an extensive soil seed bank of many other native range in recent years. Once a fairly plant them into the garden before the is found in the Mojave Desert cuddling wildflowers as well. The original rancher common species, it is now thought to be taproot reaches the bottom of the pot. up to yuccas and Joshua trees. Adapted cut the field for sileage for many years threatened in some areas. to full sun and lean soils in the wild, its without endangering the meadowfoam. PHACELIA The genus Phacelia provides bloom time is extended in moister, richer When the field changed hands, so CALIFORNIA POPPY Undoubtedly some of the most intense blues in the gardens soils. did agricultural practices. The field was the most widely recognized California flower kingdom. Desert bluebells (Phace- Tansyleaf phacelia (P. tanacetifolia) drained, plowed, and sown with pasture wildflower, California poppy (Eschschol- lia campanularia), one of the shorter is one of the tallest annual wildflow- grasses and wild mustard, which quickly zia californica) has a graceful habit and members of the genus at eight to 16 inch- ers, growing two to four feet tall with outcompeted and eventually overcame flower shape that has inspired architec- es tall, has velvety dark blue flowers. It large curling lilac flowerheads that emit the meadowfoam. tural features, ceramics, paintings, and a Before that happened, I harvested a plethora of songs and poems touting its handful of meadowfoam seed, which beauty. Spanish explorers and settlers, provided the start for our seed grow-outs. who were early appreciators of Califor- Sowings we have made in nearby private nia’s wildflowers, called it copa de ora, gardens now return every year. Giving or cup of gold. The Spanish were not native species places to grow—even if the first, of course. Flower festivals were they are not native to your region—offers important spring ceremonials for many them refuge and the potential for return. of the West’s indigenous tribes. In the tersely written 1,400-page flora The first poppy to be collected by Eu- of California called The Jepson Manual, ropeans was the coastal form of the Cali- only six out of 27 species of clarkias are fornia poppy (E. californica ssp. californi- said to be “in cultivation.” Another 11 are ca), a perennial form that produces yellow marked “TRY.” With similar numbers of blossoms with orange centers for as long as-yet-untested species available in other as six months. Its finely-dissected, gray- genera of American wildflowers, an abun- green mounding foliage makes it useful as dance of possibilities awaits intrepid gar- a groundcover, or as a filler among other deners and horticulturists. low-growing plants. Many subspecies of the California Judith Larner Lowry is the founder of Larner poppy have been recognized, and hor- Seeds in Bolinas, California. She is the au- Collinsia heterophylla ticultural selections in a wide variety thor of several books, including California TOP: PETER SMITH. BOTTOM: SUSANROTH PETERSMITH.BOTTOM: A. TOP: of flower colors are also now available. LEFT:SAXONHOLT. RIGHT: MICHAEL THOMPSON.S. Foraging (Timber Press, 2014).

36 the American Gardener January / February 2015 37