Learn how to grow clarkia (C unguiculata & C amoena): sowing and germination, light and soil requirements, spacing and harvesting, from Johnny's Selected Seeds. Endemic to California, Clarkia unguiculata (Elegant Clarkia) is a tall, upright annual boasting loose spires of purple, rose, or white, 4-petaled flowers from late spring to early summer. Description: As we enter the early part of spring, many gardeners' fancy turns to their favorite California native annuals.

Understanding the Context

This annual clarkia, formerly known as godetia, should be near the top of ... Clarkia is a genus within the flowering plant family Onagraceae. Over 40 species are currently classified in Clarkia; almost all are native to western North America, though one species (Clarkia tenella) is native to South America. Clarkias are annual wildflowers that were once called Godetias.

Key Insights

They were named after William Clark of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition. You can find different species, varieties, and hybrids of Clarkias in wildflower mixes—or focus on your favorite. Clarkia plants grow to between 1 and 3 feet (0.5-1 m.) tall and spread 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm.). Clarkia flowers bloom in summer or fall, and sometimes in winter in mild climates. Most flowers are doubles or semi-doubles and have frilly, crepe-like petals.

Final Thoughts

They come in a wide range of colors. Clarkias bloom at the end of the wildflower season, hence their common name “Farewell-to-Spring”. In most wildflower mixes, Clarkias are included and they extend the blooming period of the mix into June. Clarkia is a genus of flowering annual plants that contains 40 different species. With one exception that is native to South America (C. tenella), the plants are native to western North America.