Clarkia rubicunda blasdalei
“Ruby Chalice Clarkia”

Aptly named for the deep red center of the flower – when backlit by the sun the base glows like a glass ruby chalice. In the early to mid summer this wildflower colors the grasslands pink along the coast of California (including the SF Bay Area), & it is easily transferable to a garden setting. In full sun it is fairly short (around 1’ tall & spreading), in shadier areas it can grow taller. Clarkia rubicunda self-sows strongly, & since neither snails nor marauding birds seem to want to eat the foliage, it is easy to establish your own clarkia patch. If you thin the seedlings, the remaining plants will be larger & bloom earlier, but thinning is not imperative. Bees love it, it provides lots of color in the garden at a time when other native wildflowers have faded away, & it is hard to think of an easier plant to grow.

       Anni J.  
Propagator