About
Clarkia unguiculata is an upright, branching annual that can reach heights of up to 1 meter. It features slender stems adorned with sparse, lanceolate leaves. During late spring and early summer, the plant produces flowers from the upper leaf axils. Each flower has four widely spaced, paddle-shaped petals that can be found in various shades of pink, purple, red, and occasionally white, complemented by prominent stamens with bright red anthers.
About the genus
Clarkia are slender annual plants characterized by their uncomplicated leaves and prominent funnel- or bowl-shaped flowers, which appear in loose racemes during the summer months.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal
- Native to
- California
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile, slightly acid soil in sun or part shade. Some drought tolerance, dislikes hot and humid conditions. Rich soils will encourage growth of foliage at the expense of flowers
- Pruning
- Cut back after flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, sown in-situ in early spring or autumn, avoid transplanting. Protect autumn-sown seedlings over winter with cloches
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to foot, root and stem rot and downy mildews