Clarkia purpurea

Winecup clarkia is a California native annual wildflower found in various habitats, but usually in open grassy places, thus it adapts well to sunny garden situations or pots. A rare nursery find and a seriously threatened species, this plant erects a thin reddish stem which may approach a meter in height with a few lance-shaped leaves. The plant itself gets to 18? tall (depending on soil fertility) & has an upright habit. It's real selling point are its tiny, stunningly shiny, deep purple flowers! Like most other clarkias it is very easy to grow, snail proof, blooms Spring thru early Summer, & lasts for weeks as a cut flower..AND it reseeds! Planted early in the ground it will not need to be watered, but planted late or in pots, it will need additional water to thrive. Native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. Special value to native bees. Indigenous Californians sowed Clarkia species and harvested the seeds to grind for food. Found in open grassy places, coastal, slopes. Communitites located in Valley Grassland, Coastal Strand, Northern Coastal Scrub, Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest, Mixed Evergreen Fores Between 0 and 6000 feet.