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Annual Biennial

Gilia tricolor

birds eyes

A bushy annual forming a low mound of finely divided green leaves. Saucer-shaped, pale violet flowers, with yellow throats circled with dark purple markings, are borne singly or in small clusters on slender upright stems in late spring, and sometimes again in summer

Other common names
bird's eye

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Green
Summer Green Purple
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Polemoniaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Gilia can be annuals or perennials, with simple or finely, pinnately divided leaves and salver-shaped or tubular, blue, pink or red flowers that may be solitary, in panicles or dense clusters

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in-situ in mid-spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back after flowering if seed is not required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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