Clarkia williamsonii

Bold markings color the blooms of this showy native annual in late Spring & early Summer. Some people have described this species as gaudy, but we like a little flash to our flowers, & this species still has its natural grace. The center of the flower is white, & the outer part of the petal is lavender with a deep magenta blotch in the center. The flowers seem to glow from within, & appear well into summer if supplemented with additional water on plants that span at least a foot across, & are under a foot tall. Drainage is key! Clarkia williamsonii does not tolerate clay very well, but would be a great plant to try to naturalize on a rocky incline, & has done beautifully for us at the edge of rock walls in our nursery garden beds. Containers work well, too, of course. Poor soil is fine, & this year’s plants will yield seedlings that will need no additional water to thrive next year! Local all the way from Kern County north to Nevada County.