Gilia capitata 'Globe'
Globe Gilia is a native annual flower that is commonly found growing on dry, open plains, on slopes, chaparral banks, and long roadsides throughout the eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 12-24” and features lacy green foliage, and globe-shaped clusters of small lavender/blue flowers. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is drought tolerant, self sows, and is great as a cut flower.
Genus: Gilia
Species: capitata
Variety: Globe Gilia
Also Known As: Bluehead Gilia, Blue thimble flower, Queen Anne's thimble, Blue field gilia
Native to: Arizona, California, Idaho, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington
Introduced into: Alaska, Austria, British Columbia, Czechoslovakia, Great Britain, Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, New York, Yukon
Grown as: Annual
Maturity (Blooms): late spring-mid summer
Light: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Suitability: Drought Tolerant
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. A nectar source for honey bees and sweat bees and Propertius duskywing butterfly (Erynnis propertius), and various skipper butterflies. Hummingbirds.
Containers?: Yes.
Maintenance: Low
Height: 12-24”
Spacing: 9”
Sow Depth: 1/8"
Produces: lacy green foliage, and globe-shaped clusters of small
USDA Zone: 1-10
For spring planting, you will have to stratify your seeds by sowing them in moist sand and storing them in your refrigerator for 30 days. Then sow your seeds in a seed starting try of peat pots 6-8 weeks before the last frost of your area. You will need to maintain a lightly moist soil and a temperature of 70 degrees to achieve germination. Germination should occur within two weeks. When the weather has warmed and your seedlings are well established, transplant them outdoors.
Companion Planting
Problems
Suggested Varieties
(Clarkia pulchella ‘Deerhorn’)
Deerhorn Clarkia is a native annual flower that can commonly be found growing in rocky forest and grasslands, or in disturbed soils throughout the northwest United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18” and features a hairy erect stem that has 2-3” lance-shaped leaves alternating around it, and topped with clusters of four divided fuchsia flower petals and a prominent white pistil. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, is resistant to deer, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
(Clarkia amoena ‘Farewell to Spring’)
Farewell to Spring Clarkia is a cool weather annual flower that is native from British Columbia to California and can be found growing on dry rocky slopes and meadows. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 30” and features erect stems, 2 1/2” lance shaped leaves, and 2-3” four petaled flowers that have reddish pink with lavender splotches. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, is resistant to deer, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
(Lupinus succulentus ‘Arroyo’)
(Lupinus polyphyllus ‘Russell’)
(Lupinus nanus ‘Sky Mix’)
Sky Lupine is a native short-lived perennial flower that can be found growing in grassy fields, slopes, and hills throughout the southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-16” and features 8-16” stem spikes, star-shaped leaflet clusters, and blue, white, pink, and purple pea-like flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and humming birds, is resistant to deer, and is great as a cut flower!
(Penstemon palmeri ‘Palmer's’)
Palmer's Penstemon is a perennial flower that is native to the United States that can be commonly found growing in rocky areas of grasslands and desert mountains. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 3” and features branched stems, grayish leaves, and large white flowers that have pink stains. This plant can be grown in containers, it attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, tolerates drought, is resistant to deer, and is great as a cut flower!
(Penstemon strictus ‘Rocky Mountain’)
(Penstemon Hartwegii ‘Scarlet Queen’)
Scarlet Queen Penstemon is a short-lived perennial flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing in open deserts and moist forests throughout the southern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 36” and features hairy upright stems, narrow lance-shaped green leaves, and tubular white two-lipped flowers that have scarlet red edgings. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, tolerates drought, is resistant to deer, and is great as a cut flower!
(Eschscholzia californica ‘Carmine King’)
Carmine King California Poppy is a native cool weather short-lived perennial flower that can be commonly found growing in open areas, hillsides, and along roads throughout the western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-15” and features bluish green fern-like leaves and 3” 4 petal cup-shaped pinkish red flowers. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, is both edible and medicinal, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
(Eschscholzia caespitosa ‘Dwarf’)
(Eschscholzia californica ‘Mikado’)
Mikado California Poppy is a native cool weather short-lived perennial flower that can be commonly found growing in open areas, hillsides, and along roads throughout the western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-16” and features bluish green fern-like leaves and 3” 4 petal cup-shaped orange-red flowers. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, is both edible and medicinal, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
(Eschscholzia californica ‘Golden West’)
Golden West California Poppy is a native cool weather short-lived perennial flower that can be commonly found growing in costal bluffs and inland valleys throughout the western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-16” and features bluish green fern-like leaves and 3” 4 petal cup-shaped golden orange flowers. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, is both edible and medicinal, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!