Overview
Gilia capitata is a columnar upright annual biennial in the genus Gilia, part of the Polemoniaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 1-2 years. Gilia capitata grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include rock garden, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds.
About
Gilia capitata is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common names blue-thimble-flower, bluehead gilia, blue field gilia, and globe gilia.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Gilia capitata
About the genus
Gilia is a genus of flowering plants in the Polemoniaceae family and is related to phlox. It includes 39 species native to the Americas, ranging from British Columbia to Texas and northern Mexico, and to Ohio, in North America, and from Ecuador and Peru to southern Chile and Argentina in South America. These Western native plants are best sown in sunny, well-draining soil in the temperate and tropical regions of the Americas, where they occur mainly in desert or semi-desert habitats
Wikipedia contributors, "Gilia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Gilia
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Gilia
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Gilia capitata size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Rock garden, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Gilia capitata
- Propagation
- Seed sown in-situ in mid-spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Gilia capitata?
Gilia capitata prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Gilia capitata need?
Gilia capitata is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
How big does Gilia capitata grow?
Gilia capitata reaches a height of 0.1-0.5 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 1-2 years to reach full size.
Is Gilia capitata hardy in the UK?
Gilia capitata has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Gilia capitata?
Seed sown in-situ in mid-spring.
From the Fenn Plants journal
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