Clarkia Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 22nd Nov 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Clarkia plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

At a Glance: Clarkia

Plant Characteristics: Clarkia is celebrated for its vibrant, cup-shaped flowers that bloom in a variety of colors. It's perfect for adding a burst of color to gardens and attracting pollinators.
Ideal Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soil and full to partial sun. It's suited for temperate climates and flourishes in both garden beds and containers.
General Care: Low maintenance, requiring only occasional watering once established. Deadheading promotes more blooms, enhancing its colorful display.
Tips for New Gardeners: Farewell-to-spring is an excellent choice for beginners due to its ease of growth and care. It's important to avoid overwatering and to provide adequate sunlight for optimal flowering.

Mountain Garland, Farewell to spring, Redspot Clarkia, & Godetia: Cultivation & Garden Use

Clarkia are bushy hardy annuals of 30 cm to 1.2 m in height. They flower from summer until the beginning of autumn.

They carry rosette flowers of pink or white.

Some common names for Clarkia include Farewell to spring, Rocky mountain garland, Satin flower, and Godeitia.

Clarkia rubicunda
Clarkia rubicunda by Anniesannuals; Creative commons.

Clarkia
Clarkia by Tom Hilton; Creative commons.

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Clarkia Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Mountain Garland, Farewell to spring, Redspot Clarkia, Godetia. Clarkia: Purple; Pismo; Winecup; Botts's; Northern; Deerhorn; Sierra.
Life Cycle: Hardy annual.
Height: 24 to 60 inches (50 to 150 cm).
Native: Americas.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 10.
Flowers: Summer and early autumn.
Flower Details: Pink, red, purple, violet, white. Four petals. Small.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Simple leaves. Small. Evergreen.
Sow Outside: Surface. Sow every two weeks from the last frost through to summer. Spacing 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm).
Sow Inside: Peat pots. Best started outside. Start eight weeks in advance. Germination time four days to three weeks in the light. Temperature 55 to 70°F (13 to 21°C). Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements: Full sunlight or partial shade. Soil pH 6 to 8.5. Moist soils. Light spring feed (low nitrogen). Regular watering. Stake larger plants.
Family: Onagraceae.
Miscellaneous: Many species of the Clarkia genus used to be classified in the genus Godetia.

How to grow Farewell to Spring - Clarkia

It is best to sow seeds of Clarkia outdoors. They should be sown into a partly shaded or sunny part of the garden on the soil.

Sowing of Farewell to Spring and other Clarkia genus plants should start after the last frost of spring, and continue every two weeks; this will allow for a prolonged flowering season.

The ideal soil for growing should be moist and cool, with a pH of 6 to 7.

Caring for Clarkia in the garden

Clarkia plants should be watered regularly so as to keep the soil moist.

They may require fertilizer in the spring, this should be low in nitrogen as Clarkia prefers low nitrogen soils.

Common Questions

How many members does the Clarkia genus have?

The Clarkia genus consists of about 40 species.

Do members of Clarkia make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Clarkia plants, with their vibrant and colorful flowers, make beautiful additions to any garden or landscape.

Which Clarkia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Clarkia amoena (farewell-to-spring) and Clarkia unguiculata (elegant clarkia) are popularly grown due to their beautiful blooms.

Are members of the Clarkia plant genus fragrant?

Many Clarkia species do not have a strong fragrance, but they are loved for their vibrant colors.

What is the perfect location to grow Clarkia?

Clarkia species prefer full sun to light shade and well-drained soils.

Is Clarkia invasive in the USA?

Currently, Clarkia is not considered invasive in the USA.

How do I remove Clarkia plants from my garden?

To remove Clarkia, dig up the entire plant, ensuring the roots are fully removed to prevent regrowth.

Summary

The Clarkia genus, part of the Onagraceae family, is native to western North America. Also known as farewell-to-spring or godetia, these annual plants are recognized for their narrow leaves and cup-shaped flowers in various colors that bloom in late spring to summer.

To grow Clarkia, plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil. They can be grown from seeds sown in spring. Regular watering is necessary, but they are quite drought-tolerant once established. They are often used in wildflower gardens, meadows, or as cut flowers for their vibrant, showy blooms.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Clarkia plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ Onagraceae growing guides: How to grow Gaura and Zauschneria plants.

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