🌸 Mountain Garland Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata)
The Native "Mist" of the California Foothills
Capture the airy, romantic spirit of the West Coast with Mountain Garland Clarkia. Also known by its historical name, Clarkia elegans, this stunning native wildflower produces tall, graceful wands smothered in ruffled, double and semi-double blooms. With a breathtaking palette ranging from soft lilac and rose-pink to deep burgundy and creamy white, a patch of Mountain Garland looks like a vibrant mist floating in the garden. It is the premier choice for gardeners seeking an elegant, vertical element for their cutting gardens or wildflower meadows.
📜 Historical Heritage & Native Roots
Mountain Garland is a proud California native, historically found dancing across the oak woodlands and chaparral slopes of the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges.
The genus was named in honor of Captain William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. While the expedition focused on the Northwest, this particular species was eventually discovered and sent to Europe in the 1830s. It became an instant sensation in Victorian England, where gardeners fell in love with its long-lasting "garlands" of flowers. It eventually returned to American gardens as a refined heirloom, cherished for its ability to bring a touch of wild, "frontier" beauty into formal borders.
✨ Product Highlights
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Vertical Elegance: Features long, slender stems reaching up to 3 feet tall, making it a perfect backdrop or "thriller" in garden designs.
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Pollinator Playground: An absolute favorite for native bees and a wide variety of butterflies, providing a high-volume nectar source.
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Premier Cut Flower: The flower spikes open from the bottom up and have an exceptional vase life (up to 10 days). They provide a wild, airy texture to summer arrangements.
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Shade Tolerant: One of the rare native wildflowers that will bloom beautifully in partial shade, making it perfect for the edges of woodlands or under tall trees.
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Vibrant Color Palette: Every packet contains a joyful mix of pinks, purples, and whites, often with unique bicolors.
🛠️ Quick Growth Profile
| Feature |
Specifications |
| Scientific Name |
Clarkia unguiculata (syn. C. elegans) |
| Plant Type |
Native Annual |
| Height |
24 to 36 inches |
| Sun Requirement |
Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Bloom Period |
Late Spring to Mid-Summer |
| Days to Maturity |
70–80 Days |
| Water Needs |
Low to Moderate |
🌱 How to Grow Mountain Garland Clarkia
1. Sowing the Seeds (Direct Sow is Best):
Like all Clarkias, Mountain Garland has a sensitive taproot and does not like to be transplanted.
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When: Sow in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. In mild-winter climates (Zones 8-10), you can sow in the fall for an earlier spring display.
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Depth: Surface sow and press firmly into the soil. Do not cover the seeds, as they require light to germinate.
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Preparation: Clear the area of weeds. These plants love a bit of a "crowded" look, which helps the tall, slender stems support each other.
2. The Perfect Location:
While they love Full Sun in cooler climates, Mountain Garland is uniquely adapted to Partial Shade in hotter regions. It prefers well-drained soil and—like most native wildflowers—actually blooms better in "lean" or poor soil. Avoid heavy fertilizers, which can lead to weak stems and fewer flowers.
3. Maintenance:
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Watering: Water regularly during the germination period. Once established, they are quite drought-tolerant but will stay in bloom longer with consistent moisture during extreme heat.
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Spacing: Thin seedlings to 8–10 inches apart.
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The "Support" Rule: Because they are tall and airy, they look best when planted in dense "drifts" where the plants can lean on one another. If planting a single row, they may require light staking or a decorative fence for support.
🎨 Garden Design Tip
Mountain Garland Clarkia looks spectacular when planted behind shorter, mounding flowers like California Poppies or Dwarf Godetia. The vertical spikes of the Clarkia provide a stunning contrast to the low-growing "cups" of the other poppies, creating a professionally designed, multi-layered look.
Garden Tip: For the best cut flowers, harvest the spikes when the bottom 2 or 3 blossoms have opened. The rest will continue to unfurl in the vase, providing you with a week of fresh "garlands" indoors! ✂️🌸
