(Viscaria oculata 'Rose of Heaven')
Rose of Heaven is a clump-forming annual flower that is native to the Mediterranean region but can be commonly found growing in gardens as an ornamental across the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 10” and features 2” bright pastel pink five petaled flowers that are starred with a magenta eye. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, is resistant to deer, and is great as a cut flower!
Genus: Eudianthe
Species: coeli-rosa
Variety: Rose of Heaven
Also Known As: sticky catchfly, clammy campion
Native to: Algeria, Canary Is., Corse, Italy, Libya, Morocco, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Tunisia.
Introduced into: Great Britain, Hungary, Sweden.
Grown as: Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Maturity (Blooms): May-September
Hardiness: Hardy.
Light: Full sun to part shade.
Water: Medium.
Suitability: Average to rich, well-drained soil
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Bees and butterflies. Resistant to deer.
Containers?: Yes.
Maintenance: Low
Height: 10”
Dimension: 12"
Spacing: 8-10”
Sow Depth: Press into soil
USDA Zones: 3-10
Produces: lance-shaped, gray-green leaves, and 2” bright pink five petal flowers that are starred with a magenta eye.
Garden Uses: Floral gardens, wooden barrels, roadsides.
1) Fill seed starting trays to within 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the rim with moist soil mix.
2) Firm the surface with the back of your fingers, then scatter stratified seeds evenly over the medium.
3) Press the seeds into the soil but do not cover fully add a label with the plant name and date.
4) Cover the finished pots with plastic and set them in a warm bright place or under lights at a room temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit .
5) Keep the soil moist as the seedlings sprout and develop. Move the pots into direct sunlight to continue growing.
Temperature: 60
Average Germ Time: 7-10 days
Light Required: Yes
Depth: Press into the soil
Moisture: Keep seed moist until germination
Transplanting Seedlings into Larger Pots:
1) When your seedlings have two sets of true leaves, pot them up into a larger container filled with a soil mix.
2) After the last threat of frost, harden off the seedlings in the garden for about 10 days.
3) Once the seedlings have been hardened off, you can plant them in the garden.
Soil pH: 6.1-7.8
Summer Crop:
2-4 weeks after Last frost date:
Sow your seeds into the garden in early spring after all dangers of frost. Rose of Heaven prefers an average to rich, well-drained soil, that has a pH between 6.1 and 7.8. This plant prefers full sun in areas with mild summers and part shade in areas with hot summers.
When outdoor temp: 60°F
When min soil temp: 60°F.
Seed Depth: Do not cover the seed but press into the soil
Spacing: 8"-10"
Support: No.
Water: Rose of Heaven is somewhat drought-resistant, but don't let your plants become too dry. Water regularly.
Temperature and Humidity: These are hardy plants that can tolerate a bit of frost. Some varieties can survive freezing temperatures. It's generally best to plant these plants after the coldest part of the winter has passed.
Fertilizer: Rose of Heaven doesn't require fertilizer, but it can help promote healthy growth. Apply monthly throughout the warmer months.
Pruning: Rose of Heaven don't require extensive pruning; however, you can deadhead spent flowers to encourage fuller blooms. Trim inflorescences or flowering stalks to about two inches, and prune stems and branches after the flowers have bloomed. Time your pruning to before the seeds have matured, so the plant puts its energy toward its flowers instead of forming seeds.
Suggested Varieties
(Centaurea cyanus ‘Dwarf Blue’)
Dwarf Blue Cornflower is an annual flower that is native to Europe that can be found growing in open fields and along railroads from coast to coast of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-3' and features grayish green, blade-like foliage and long stems topped by a 1” circlet of tiny lavender blue flowers with a darker center. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, makes dye, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
(Centaurea cyanus ‘Tall Blue’)
Tall Blue Cornflower is an annual flower that is native to Europe that can be found growing in open fields and along railroads from coast to coast of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-3' and features grayish green, blade-like foliage and long stems topped by a 1” circlet of tiny lavender blue flowers with a darker center. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, makes dye, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
(Centaurea cyanus ‘Tall Pink’)
Tall Pink Cornflower is an annual flower that is native to Europe that can be found growing in open fields and along railroads from coast to coast of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-3' and features grayish green, blade-like foliage and long stems topped by a 1-1½” circlet of tiny pale pink flowers with a darker pink center. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, makes dye, self sows, 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 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!
(Eschscholzia californica ‘Ivory Castle’)
Ivory Castle 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 white flowers that have pale yellow centers. 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 ‘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 ‘Orange’)
Orange 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 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!
(Eschscholzia californica ‘Purple Gleam’)
(Eschscholzia californica ‘Red Chief’)
Red Chief 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 crimson flowers that have a yellow center. 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 ‘White Linen’)
White Linen 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 white flowers that have accented yellow centers. 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!