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    • Photo of Gilia capitata flower by The Marmot

    Photo by The Marmot

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

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    Gilia capitata

    Also Known As

    • Blue Thimble Flower

    Plant type

    annual / biennial

    size

    • H: 15"
    • W: 12"

    planting zones

    • 1-11

    More Options

    Gilia capitata plant details

    Gilia capitata is a broadleaf deciduous annual / biennial with green foliage. In spring and summer blue flowers emerge. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - bright shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average and well-drained soil.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Gilia capitata

    Plant type: annual / biennial
    Plant family: polemoniaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 12 IN wide, 15 IN tall
    Flowers: blue blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: container plant, cottage garden, cutting garden, easy-to-grow, long-blooming, native plant, self-sowing

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Gilia capitata

    USDA Zones: 1 - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - bright shade
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Soil needs: average and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    This Californian annual carries pompoms of soft blue flowers profusely on slender stems which project from loose mounds of rich green, not too lacy foliage, all spring and into summer. Easily grown, self seeds and is much loved by butterflies, bees and other insects. Scratch seeds into well drained bare soil in autumn or early winter. Each pack contains a gluttonous 50+ seeds.

    By: Zephs

    Easy as pie and you’ll get loads of bloom over a period of months! A robust native to much of California, “Blue Thimble Flower” forms a bushy multi-branching annual to 15” tall by 12” across with dense, ferny, almost lacy, rich green foliage. Throughout Spring & well into Summer, it bears scented, laven­der blue flowers held in spherical clusters & loved by butterflies, bees &more! Lovely with natives Layia platyglossa “Tidy Tips” or Clarkia concinna “Pink Ribbons”. Full sun provides best display. Self-sows.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Gardening facts about Gilia capitata plant

    How to Grow Gilia capitata

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - bright shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • blue

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • butterflies

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    See other plant types of Gilia for your garden

    Gilia tricolor

    aka Birds Eyes

    Plant Type

    Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    1-11

    Size

    Height: 24"

    Width: 18"

    • sun
    • regular - low
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Gilia tricolor flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
    View Plant

    More Options

    Gilia achilleifolia

    aka Blue Gilia

    Plant Type

    Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    1-11

    Size

    Height: 16"-24"

    Width: 16"

    • sun
    • regular - low
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Gilia achilleifolia flower by Drew Avery
    View Plant

    More Options

    Gilia nevinii

    aka Nevin's Gilia

    Plant Type

    Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    1-11

    Size

    Height: 18"

    Width: 12"

    • sun
    • regular - low
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Gilia nevinii flower by Stickpen
    View Plant

    Gilia capitata ssp. chamissonis

    Plant Type

    Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    1-11

    Size

    Height: 6"

    Width: 6"

    • sun
    • regular - low
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Gilia capitata ssp. chamissonis flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
    View Plant

    More Options

    Ipomopsis aggregata

    aka Cantua aggregata, Gilia aggregata, Gilia aggregata subsp. aggregata, Ipomopsis aggregata subsp. aggregta, Scarlet Gilia, Scarlet Trumpet Flower, Sky Trumpet, Skyrocket

    Plant Type

    Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    4a-10b

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 6"-9"

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ipomopsis aggregata by Panayoti Kelaidis
    View Plant

    More Options

    +6 more Gilia
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