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Annual Biennial

Clarkia unguiculata

clarkia

An upright, branching annual up to 1m high, with slender stems bearing sparse lance-shaped leaves. In late spring and early summer, flowers are produced from the upper leaf axils, with four widely-spaced, paddle-shaped petals in shades of pink, purple, red and occasionally white, and prominent stamens tipped with bright red anthers

Other common names

butterfly flower
flower of love
see moreswan flower

Synonyms

Clarkia elegans

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Onagraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Clarkia are slender annuals with simple leaves and showy funnel-shaped or bowl-shaped flowers in lax racemes in summer
Name status: Correct
Plant range: California

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, slightly acid soil in sun or part shade. Some drought tolerance, dislikes hot and humid conditions. Rich soils will encourage growth of foliage at the expense of flowers

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in-situ in early spring or autumn, avoid transplanting. Protect autumn-sown seedlings over winter with cloches

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to foot, root and stem rot and downy mildews

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