Download - Attractive annuals 2013 - notes
4/6/2013
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© Project SOUND
Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Gardening with California Native Plants in Western L.A. County Project SOUND – 2013 (our 9th year)
© Project SOUND
Attractive Annuals our most attractive annual
wildflowers & how to use them
C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve
October 8, 2013
My Gardening Philosophy – circa 2013
1. Knowledge is power
2. It’s better to understand how something works rather than to just follow rules
3. It’s easier to work with the physical conditions in a garden (soil characteristics, light, etc.) than to try to change them dramatically
4. California native plants from the local area are often the best suited for local gardens
5. Look to Mother Nature and Native Californians for gardening advice
6. Make a garden plan – even tho’ it may change over time
7. Choose plants based on their suitability for your needs and garden conditions
8. Save ‘Heritage’ trees and large shrubs – unless there’s a good reason to remove them
9. Choose plants for their habitat value
10. Choose plants for their usefulness (food; dyes; etc.)
© Project SOUND
http://www.the-philosopher.co.uk/
What are
‘Annual plants’? Complete their entire life cycle in a year or less (one growing season)
Only the dormant seed bridges the gap between one generation and the next.
Because they only grow a short time, most have an economical form: short, herbaceous, just enough leaves, etc.
Some plants can behave as an annual or a perennial depending on local climatic and geographic growing conditions [examples: pepper plants; CA Poppies].
© Project SOUND
In the garden, annuals are
particularly useful for providing
seasonal color – and food
http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/87191-product.html#.UV4KJ1Pn9D8
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It all starts with Pollination and Fertilization Schematic representation of Arabidopsis seed development and stages of the life cycle used
for GeneChip analysis.
Le B H et al. PNAS 2010;107:8063-8070
©2010 by National Academy of Sciences
Seed development: a complex process
Notice the last step of
seed development
Loss of water: up to 90-95% of water is lost
Important for: Putting embryo into (and
keeping it in) suspended animation
Keeping the seed protected – hard, protective coat
That’s why important to let plants dry out after they set seeds
© Project SOUND
The mighty seed: a time capsule into the
future
Seed coat (testa) – protection
Embryo
Provisions: Food (cotyledon)
Hormones
Other stored chemicals (enzymes & other)
© Project SOUND
Everything the seed needs in order to be ready for germination
http://generalhorticulture.tamu.edu/hort604/lecturesupplmex07/anatomymorphology.htm
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Germination: rapid
re-animation
Uptake of water: imbibation
Turning on metabolism
Activating enzymes needed to break down food stores
All this involves many plant hormones; may also involve outside signals (light; temp.)
© Project SOUND
http://images.tutorvista.com/content/feed/tvcs/germination-process-voandzeia.jpeg
http://www.seedbiology.de/images/hormgerm1web.gif
http://5e.plantphys.net/images/ch11/we1104a_s.jpg
The annual lifestyle is a good adaptation
to our mediterranean climate
Plants are dormant during long dry period – they are in ‘suspended animation’ in the seed
The plants can weather particularly dry years – wait for more favorable rainfall conditions
Plants grow during the season of abundant soil moisture; fast growth, timed to rainfall
Set seed as the soil dries out
© Project SOUND
http://prairierosesgarden.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html
Timing is everything…
© Project SOUND http://occnps.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/front.jpg
© Project SOUND
The schedule of local Annual plants
Seed germination – Fall/Winter (after the first seasonal rains); some require spring warmth; generally quick (1-4 weeks)
Plant growth – Winter (some) Spring, Summer (some) – rapid in warm days of Spring
Flowering – Spring/Summer (a very few in early fall)
Seed production – Late Spring-Summer
Death – Spring (some), Summer (most), Fall (a few)
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But how can I use annual wildflowers in
my garden?
© Project SOUND
http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/blog/2011/05/09/plant-of-the-month-lupine/
Annuals are often used to add a ‘spot of
color’
© Project SOUND
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/companion-plants-annual-flowers-43553.html
http://garden-designs.org/2011/07/04/perennial-garden-design/
Dark background that’s gloomy (or boring)
in spring – need something to liven it up
© Project SOUND
http://gardensofpetersonville.blogspot.com/2012/06/little-heat.html
A little bit of yellow might add
some cheerful ‘sunshine’
Tidy-tips and Goldfields are old standbys
© Project SOUND
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But maybe we want something a little
bigger that is pure golden yellow
© Project SOUND
The genus Coreopsis: the Tickseeds
Scientific name is derived from the Greek word koris, meaning Bedbug.
Flowers: usually yellow, toothed tips.
Primarily native to North America.
Many cultivars are available for gardens; used world-wide as ‘yellow daisies’.
Coreopsis species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species
© Project SOUND
Family: Asteraceae
The Asteraceae: the sunflowers
The flowers, also called florets, are nearly always clustered into heads, with each subtended by a whorl or whorls of modified leaves called bracts (the involucre).
© Project SOUND
http://www.tutorvista.com/content/biology/biology-iii/angiosperm-families/family-asteraceae.php
Asteraceae – two forms of flowers
A disk flower, in its most complete form, has five petals fused into a tube, with a tube of five fused anthers inside the petal tube
A ray flower (a "petal" of a daisy) is similar, except that some of the fused petals extend on one side into a flat strap-like ligule.
Flower heads may have only ray flowers or disk flowers, or both.
© Project SOUND
http://www.anbg.gov.au/PLANTFAM/AUST1F.HTM
©2006 Larry Blakely
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Asteraceae – reproduction & seeds
© Project SOUND
http://www.anbg.gov.au/PLANTFAM/AUST1F.HTM
Flowers may be ‘complete’, unisexual or sterile, lacking either or both "male" and "female" sexual parts. Each functionally "female" flower, whether ray or disk, has a single inferior ovary with a single ovule.
If the ovule is fertilized, it will develop into a single seed in a special dry fruit called an achene.
© Project SOUND
Bigelow coreopsis – Coreopsis bigelovii
©2005 Brent Miller
© Project SOUND
Bigelow coreopsis – Coreopsis bigelovii
©2006 Larry Blakely
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,1008,1009
Transverse Ranges (Santa Monica Mtns), Tehachapi Mountain Area, s Sierra Nevada Foothills, Mojave Desert, n Sonoran Desert
Open woodlands, grasslands, deserts, dry gravelly hillsides to about 5000', creosote bush scrub, joshua tree woodland, chaparral, pinyon-juniper woodland
© Project SOUND
Bigelow Coreopsis: mostly flowers
Size: 12-18 inches tall
12-18 inches wide
Growth form: Annual wildflower
Foliage: Leaves mostly in basal rosette
Leaves often divided into linear lobes – likely more substantial in garden
Color: varies with water/light availability
Leaves used extensively as raw/cooked vegetable by CA native desert tribes
©2006 James M. Andre
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© Project SOUND
Flowers are glorious
Blooms: In spring: usually Feb-Mar
to May in our area
Flowers: In typical ‘sunflower heads’ –
usually one per stalk
Both ray & disk flowers yellow – disk often a little darker gold
Broad liguled ray flowers
Attract a wide range of insect pollinators
Seeds: dry achenes typical of sunflowers; wind distributed; edible (mostly by birds)
©2006 Larry Blakely
http://www.hazmac.biz/050221/050221CoreopsisBigelovii.html © Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: any – coarse in wilds
pH: any local
Light: Full sun to light shade
Water: Winter/spring: to establish
Summer: taper off after flowering ceases
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: Gravel mulch or none if you
want them to re-seed
Easy from seed – no pre-treatment
©2006 Larry Blakely http://xasauantoday.com/category/diablo-range/
© Project SOUND
Uses for Coreopsis
In a desert garden or rock garden with other desert annuals, grasses, shrubs
As an attractive container plant
And much more ©2010 Thomas Stoughton
http://www.delange.org/DesertCoreopsis/DesertCoreopsis.htm
With desert plants
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3335/4606895484_8a18c3a140_z.jpg
Coreopsis: where ever a little
spring sunlight is needed
© Project SOUND
http://millernursery.com/image/plantPicFiles/SmallWebPics/coreopsisVerticillataM
oonbeamS.jpg
http://www.mahoneysgarden.com/perennial/tickseed-
coreopsis-little-sundial
http://www.gardennj.com/images/zagreb1.JPG
http://www.robsplants.com/plants/CoreoAuric
http://www.ehow.com/info_8306523_do-marigolds-
keep-insects-away.html
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© Project SOUND
* Common Madia – Madia elegans
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
Summer bloomer
Yellow Coreopsis combine well with other
bright spring colors
© Project SOUND
http://wwwrockrose.blogspot.com/2010/05/they-have-to-go.html
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/scs_in_nj/sets/72157604353309858/
© Project SOUND http://www.resimsite.com/img144.htm
We’ve often hyped the ‘blue & gold’ color scheme
© Project SOUND
Mother Nature’s CA wildflower gardens abound with complementary color schemes
Blue/purple with yellow/gold schemes are the most common
Probably because our flowers evolved along with their insect pollinators – many of whom ‘see’ yellows & blues
http://www.humanflowerproject.com/index.php/weblog/comments/feral_flowers_cult
ured_eyes/
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© Project SOUND
Phacelias provide a wide range of purples & blues
Parry’s Phacelia – Phacelia parryi
Tansey-leaf Phacelia – Phacelia tanecetifolia Caterpillar Phacelia – Phacelia cicutaria
Sticky Phacelia – Phacelia viscida
© Project SOUND
* California Bluebell – Phacelia minor
©2003 Guy Bruyea
S. CA from Santa Monica Mts. to edge of desert
Dry disturbed places like burns and road-sides below 5000', coastal sage scrub, chaparral
AKA: Wild Canterbury Bells; Whitlavia
© Project SOUND
* California Bluebell – Phacelia minor
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4518,4587,4659
©2009 Robert Steers © Project SOUND
CA Bluebell: surprisingly large leaves
Size: 1-2 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Growth form: Herbaceous annual
Low, dense clump of blue-green, scalloped leaves with branched flower stalks above
Foliage: Most leaves in basal rosette
Leaves large – to 4-5 inches
Leaves toothed, crinkly, oval or rounded blades borne on long petioles (leaf stem)
Stiff glandular trichomes (hairs) – cause skin rash in some
©2004 Larry Blakely
©2009 Thomas Stoughton
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© Project SOUND
Flowers are velvety
purple-blue
Blooms: in spring; usually Mar-May in S. Bay
Flowers: Fantastic rich blue-purple;
generally no white on petals
Relatively large – to 1 ½ inches
Petals fused into a bell-shaped corolla (petal) tube; fairly broad for Phacelia – may have a narrower ‘neck’
Really beautiful
Seeds: many small, hard seeds
©2010 Thomas Stoughton © Project SOUND
Delicate-looking – but tough in fact
Soils: Texture: likes a coarse, well-
drained soil – can take others
pH: any local
Light: Full sun
Water: Winter/spring: keep moist
while developing
Summer: dry after flowering
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: gravel mulch – like in the photograph
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
© Project SOUND
CA Bluebell: color & more
Wonderful massed – alone or with contrasting yellow or white flowers
As an attractive pot plant
On dry slopes or water-wise gardens – let it naturalize
©2010 Thomas Stoughton
http://blog.anniesannuals.com/tag/phacelia-minor/
http://biology.csusb.edu/PlantGuideFolder/PhaceliaMinor/PhaceliaMinorStand.jpg
Choose native annuals for double duty as
‘pollinator plants’
All other things being equal
1. Choose plants for their habitat value
2. Choose plants for their usefulness (food; dyes; etc.)
© Project SOUND
http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Boraginaceae/Phacelia%20minor.htm
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© Project SOUND
Why are Phacelias such good pollinator plants?
Many flowers per plant; long bloom period Make it worthwhile for the
pollinators to visit
Open flower structure (some): Nectar accessible to many
types of pollinators
Abundant nectar production Evolved with insect pollinator
species
Note: many have markings to attract pollinators to the nectar (‘nectar lines’)
©2003 Kristin Szabo
The tale of two Phacelias
© Project SOUND
http://tchester.org/plants/analysis/phacelia/minor_with_spots.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Phaceliaminor.jpg
© Project SOUND
Parry’s Phacelia – Phacelia parryi
Waterleaf family (like Baby Blue-eyes)
Named for Charles C. Parry (1832-1890) – botanist with the Pacific Railway Survey
Grows in S. CA south to Baja CA
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4518,4587,4673
© Project SOUND
Flowers are lovely…
Blooms Apr-June in South Bay
Flowers bell-shaped, with very open, spreading petals, borne on erect stems
Color: rich purple-blue with five pure-white spots, white anthers
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/phacpar4.htm
http://www.gardengates.info/Phac.%20par.close.jpg
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Some CA Bluebell plants appear to have
characteristics of both Phacelias
Phacelia minor Uniform color – no white spots
or streaks
Long cylindric corolla tube
Phacelia parryi White spots
Very short/no corolla tube
Often more blue than purple
‘unusual’ P. minor Occur w/in 10 mi. of P. parryi
populations
Always within P. minor populations
White spots/streaks
Shorter tube © Project SOUND http://tchester.org/plants/analysis/phacelia/minor_with_spots.html
Conclusion? Introgression with P. parryi; i.e., some specimens are hybrids with P. parryi, whereas other specimens are "pure" P. minor.
It is also possible that this simply represents intrinsic variation within P. minor.
rDNA evidence : either hybridization or a recent divergence between P. parryi and P. minor
Take home message:
Evolution is still occurring
Role of humans in plant evolution
Responsibility of gardeners
© Project SOUND
http://tchester.org/plants/analysis/phacelia/minor_with_spots.html
© Project SOUND
* Desert Bluebells – Phacelia campanularia
© Project SOUND
* Desert Bluebells – Phacelia campanularia
Mojave Desert & N. and W. Sonoran Desert of California
Open dry, sandy or gravelly places below 4000 ft.
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?4518,4587,4601
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© Project SOUND
Desert Bluebells – an annual desert wildflower
Size: 1-2 ft tall
1-2+ ft wide
Growth form: Annual wildflower
Mounded to somewhat sprawling shape - attractive
Stems often red-purple in color
Foliage: Rounded, coarsely-toothed
leaves – somewhat like Heuchera
Whole plant hairy/sticky – may cause mild skin allergies, so wear gloves to handle
http://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/1886/phacelia-campanularia-desertbells/ © Project SOUND
Flowers are a bright,
pure blue
Blooms: in spring - usually Feb-Apr. in our area, but may be later
Flowers: Small-medium size (to 1 inch)
Bell-shaped – typical for Phacelia
Bright, intense true blue – iridescent – difficult to photograph
Seeds: In dry capsules
Relatively easy – no pre-treatment; just plant in place in fall/winter – germinate in spring
Serial sow for longer bloom season
Will reseed – but not extensively – usually must re-seed
http://www.hortmag.com/article/desertbluebells/
http://www.delange.org/BlueBells/BlueBells.htm
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils:
Texture: any well-drained; sandy & gravelly soils great
pH: any local
Light: Full sun (best) to light shade
Water: Winter/spring: need plenty of
water during active growth
Summer: occasional deep water extends blooming; taper off as flowering ends
Fertilizer: fine in poor soils, OK with light fertilizer (like any of our annual wildflowers)
Other: seeds need bare soil/light gravel mulch to germinate; require dim light as germination cue.
http://www.theodorepayne.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Phacelia_campanularia_var._campanulari
a&printable=yes&printable=yes © Project SOUND
Annual ‘Pollenator Plants’
can be tucked in anywhere
Spilling out of pots & planters
Along garden paths – often short
Massed for spring color – pair with Tidy-tips or CA Poppy for a real zing!
Between native shrubs & sub-shrubs
Mixed with native desert grasses
In a rock or gravel garden
Fine in hot places
http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2008/06/friday-night-botanical-garden.html
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© Project SOUND
Sticky Phacelia – Phacelia viscida
Good for shady spots
© Project SOUND
Growing Phacelia is easy
Soil: any well-drained soil
pH: any local
Light: most like full sun to part-shade
Water: average needs; can take irrigation during dry spells
Plant fall/winter - be sure that seeds are lightly covered (germinate in darkness or dim light)
http://home.pi.net/~vries796/plantslides/phac_par.htm
Other advantages of annual wildflowers:
their small size & adaptability
© Project SOUND
http://www.gardensbygabriel.com/blog/2011/05/09/plant-of-the-month-lupine/
http://queerbychoice.livejournal.com/643809.html?t
hread=4226785
© Project SOUND
Even the smallest garden has a place for
wildflowers
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/215/502812583_c943310b50.jpg
http://www.penick.net/digging/index.php?s=wildflower+center
Annual wildflowers are the ultimate
‘tuck-in plants’
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There’s something
refreshing about
purple & white
© Project SOUND
http://tiltshifttheworld.blogspot.com/2012/04/not-just-belfast-titanic-belfast.html http://www.nihonsun.com/2009/05/22/meiji-jingu-iris-garden/
© Project SOUND
* Mojave Pincushion – Chaenactis xantiana
©2009 Stephen Dowlan
Desert mountains and foothills: s. Sierra Nevada, South Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, Great Basin Floristic Province, w Mojave Desert
Slopes in Chaparral, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Sagebrush Scrub, between 1400 and 7000 feet
Open, deep, loose sandy (rarely gravelly) soils,
© Project SOUND
* Mojave Pincushion – Chaenactis xantiana
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,890,912
© Project SOUND
Mojave Pincushion: a petit sunflower
Size: 1 – 1 ½ ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Growth form: Annual wildflower
Foliage: Leaves mostly in basal rosette
Leaves slightly fleshy; deeply lobed into very narrow segments
Color blue-green due waxy scales
Foliage often dies back before or with flowering in wild
©2009 Stephen Dowlan
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© Project SOUND
Flowers are pale
Blooms: in spring usually Mar-June in western L.A. County
Flowers: Flowers in dense, compact
heads that look somewhat like a pincushion
Color: white to pale pink – hence another common name ‘flesh-color pincushion’
Cute
Seeds: Dry; rather showy
Wind dispersed
©2011 Neal Kramer
© Project SOUND
Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: well-drained best
pH: any local
Light: Full sun to part-shade
Water: Winter/spring: adequate for
development
Summer: none after blooming
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other: gravel mulch
©2012 Jean Pawek
© Project SOUND
Garden Pincushions
In mixed ‘color bowls’ - as a contrast plant with other, more colorful native blooms
In a desert garden
Tucked into narrow, dry places in the garden
©2010 James M. Andre
http://166.78.84.170/taxa/57925-Chaenactis-xantiana © Project SOUND
Yellow Pincushion (Chaenactis
glabriuscula) – local version
Size: 1-2 ft tall; < 1 ft wide
Blooms:
Spring: usually Mar-May for 2-4 wks
Composite flower: Larger flowers to outside
Smaller inside
Looks like a pincushion
Color: bright to golden yellow
Usually several head per stem
In wilds are often massed – ‘carpet of gold’
Excellent butterfly plant
http://www.callutheran.edu/wf/images/des/des-658.jpg
http://www.nps.gov/archive/pinn/images/flowers/large/yellowpincushion.jpg
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© Project SOUND
‘Sunflowers’ are easy
to grow from seed
Plant at the right time – in winter, just before a major rain cycle
Just lightly rake in the seeds – need light to germinate
Be sure the young seedlings get adequate water
Taper off water after flowering
Let plants reseed – and/or collect dry seeds, dry a week or two, store in cool, dry place (paper bags, envelopes or glass jars)
http://www.ransomseedlab.com/aboutus/asteraceae/examples_lastheni
a_californica.htm
http://www.nps.gov/plants/sos/bendcollections/images/Lasthenia%20ca
lifornica_JPG.jpg
© Project SOUND
What’s the deal about gravel/crushed rock mulches?
You may have noticed that many annual wildflowers like to grow in decomposed granite
Why? Similar to natural conditions for
some wildflowers Well-drained Warms up well Easy for small seedlings to grow
through; and protects them Seeds can avoid predation
Other advantages Looks neater than bare ground Looks quite natural
An inorganic mulch ~ 1 inch deep or less
works well – you will have to weed
Another advantage of CA native annuals
is that they ‘naturalize’
© Project SOUND
Advantages to letting plants naturalize
Saves money – sometimes can just start with a few plants – or a packet of seed
Saves effort – let Mother Nature do the work
Looks ‘natural’
Helps to tie the garden together – a theme that runs through the garden
© Project SOUND
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Worried about annuals looking too
informal?
© Project SOUND http://greatflowerbedideas.wordpress.com/
Combine them with some formal hardscape
© Project SOUND
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53351976@N02/4964811573/
http://www.comfortinnselinsgrove.com/privacy-policy.htm
© Project SOUND
http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com/2009/04/birmingham-open-gardens-tour-part-2.html
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/knot%20garden
http://www.silive.com/homegarden/index.ssf/2012/09/plants_are_a_passion_at_well-s.html
Or use them in a more
formal landscape
design
© Project SOUND
Combine informal annuals with more
formal non-natives for a fresh look
http://wreathfactoryonline.com/2012/08/19/from-cheryls-garden-riverside-international-friendship-
gardens/
Native annuals brighten
up a knot garden – the
basic structure can be
designed with non-native
perennial herbs
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© Project SOUND
*Desert Dandelion – Malacothrix glabrata
©2003 Barry Breckling
San Joaquin Valley, Outer South Coast Ranges, Western Transverse Ranges, East of Sierra Nevada, Desert - to Oregon, Idaho, Utah; Mexico
Creosote Bush Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland, Shadscale Scrub: 0-6562 ft
On coarse, sandy, gravely or rocky soils in open areas or among shrubs
© Project SOUND
*Desert Dandelion – Malacothrix glabrata
Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences ©2008 Steve Matson
© Project SOUND
A Dandelion taken to a whole new level
Size: < 18 inches tall
1-2 ft wide
Growth form: Annual wildflower
Foliage: Leaves primarily in basal
rosette
Leaves somewhat fleshy
Deeply divided – segments almost thread-like – very unusual for genus
Color: medium to gray-green
Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences
©1998 Larry Blakely
© Project SOUND
Flowers: small zinnias
Blooms: spring – usually Mar-June depending on rains
Flowers: In large (to 2 inch) dandelion-
like heads
Many blunt-tipped, strap-like ray flowers – somewhat like zinnia
Color: yellow, often darker towards center; young head may have dark orange center
Seeds: Like super dandelion – quite
pretty w/ long silky pappus
http://www.answers.com/topic/dudleya
©2008 Neal Kramer
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© Project SOUND
Need rain – but tough Soils:
Texture: any
pH: any local
Light: Full sun to part-shade
Water: Winter/spring: need good winter
rains (or irrigation)
Summer: dry
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
©1988 Gary A. Monroe
© Project SOUND
Versatile Desert Dandelion
As habitat: birds, pollinators, tortoises
As an alternative to tidy-tips in hot, dry gardens
In un-watered, out of the way places
To ‘soften’ more formal plantings
©2009 Ron Wolf
©2008 Neal Kramer
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Malacothrix_glabrata
Adaptations common
in desert annuals
Seeds only germinate in wet years – will be more regular in our area
Quick growth
Small size; ‘play well together’
Often spare, narrow/dissected leaves – or fleshy to hold water
Leaves in basal rosette – no resources wasted on leafy stems
Flowers often on stems above foliage – to increase chances of pollination
© Project SOUND
http://www.worldbotanical.com/chaenactis.htm
http://www.abdnha.org/pages/03flora/family/asteraceae/m
alacothrix_glabrata.htm
Hybrid zinnias provide little in the way of
habitat
© Project SOUND http://sparklingyogini.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/july-favorites-2011/
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Another good use of annuals is as ‘filler plants’
© Project SOUND
http://ochereeingreenwood.wordpress.com/2010/05/
http://wwwrockrose.blogspot.com/2009/04/easter-garden.html
Something tall and colorful while the
shrubs fill in
© Project SOUND http://www.jeckels.com/photoDetail?PhotoId=2148&ReferringCategoryId=281
When it comes to filler plants, the Clarkias
are garden favorites throughout the world
© Project SOUND
http://gardenpuzzle.com/projects/show/49848
http://norahwilsonwrites.com/wordpress/?tag=alice-gaines
http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/s
howimage/1758/
And many are California native annuals
© Project SOUND
http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2009/07/filoli.html
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Clarkias – Evening Primrose family
Genus named after William Clark
41 annual species
72 species and sub-species native to CA
Include garden varieties sold by seed companies
Clarkias have long been used in gardens
The Clarkias have been used in gardens since 1840, when seeds were sent back to England for cultivation
Most garden forms were derived from Elegant Clarkia, Clarkia amoena, and Ruby Chalice Clarkia Clarka rubicunda
Nurseries sometimes carry something they call "Godetia", which will usually be a Clarkia.
© 2004 Norman Jensen
Clarkias: two types (for garden design purposes)
Robust & bushy types Wand-like types
© Project SOUND
Elegant Clarkia – Clarkia unguiculata
Purple Clarkia – Clarkia purpurea
Clarkia’s: dramatic
when massed
Make bold, colorful statement – sometimes for months at a time
Allow you to appreciate the differences between the different species
Planting several may allow you to extend the flowering season into summer – some tend to bloom later than others
© Project SOUND http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/wildflower_watch_wk13.htm
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Confusion over Clarkias
Many Clarkia were mistaken for other genera such as Godetia
Even within the same species there is much variability
Interbreeding between sub-species
Some populations are isolated – tend to diverge from others even within a species
In the 1950s, the genus Clarkia became the object of intensive genetic and taxonomic studies at UCLA
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/purpleclarkia.html
© Project SOUND
* Godetia/Farewell-to-spring – Clarkia amoena
http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/images/garden_weekly/amoena_cu1_wk12_big.jpg
© Project SOUND
* Godetia – Clarkia amoena
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-
bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5263,5341,5343
CA and OR coast north of San Francisco Bay
Generally open, drying places, < 1500 ft.
Found in coastal scrub, prairies and dry open coastal slopes & bluffs
A staple of cottage gardens world-wide since the 1800’s
Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences © Project SOUND
Godeta is a robust type of Clarkia – like
Elegant Clarkia
Size: 1-3 ft tall
1-2 ft wide
Growth form: Annual wildflower
Upright, branched form
Foliage: Leaves simple
Typically blue-green to gray-green – may be tinged with red or magenta
© 2002 George Jackson
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© Project SOUND
Flowers: like C. purpurea
on steroids Blooms:
Spring/summer: usually Apr-June in our area but may be later into summer with water – 2-4 months
Flowers: Glorious two-toned colors: usually
featuring magenta, but may be more purple or more pink
Incredibly showy – like Elegant Clarkia but larger and often more bright
Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds
Seeds: many small seeds in capsules – will reseed on bare ground or gravel/crushed rock mulch; edible
http://www.americanmeadows.com/godetia-seeds?___store=default
© 2002 George Jackson http://www.rampantscotland.com/colour/supplement070818.htm
Using robust-type
Clarkias
Lovely in containers – with bulbs and other annuals
Massed on slopes with grasses
In mid-beds for cottage garden
To fill in spaces that need a little color – short- or long-term
© Project SOUND
http://www.cnps.org/cnps/grownative/tips/clarkias.php
http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2011/08/larner-seeds-demonstration-garden.html http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html
© Project SOUND
Ruby Chalice Clarkia – Clarkia rubicunda
©2011 Margo Bors
Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area
Grassy slopes and openings in Northern Coastal Scrub, Mixed Evergreen Forest and Chaparral, 0-1600 ft. elevation
© Project SOUND
Ruby Chalice Clarkia – Clarkia rubicunda
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5263,5341,5392
©2008 Neal Kramer
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© Project SOUND
Ruby Chalice Clarkia: open & slender
Size: 2-4 ft tall
1-3 ft wide
Growth form: Annual wildflower
Foliage: Similar to Purple Clarkia
Slender, upright stems
Often many-branched
Long, slender leaves
Foliage gray-green – may be red- or purple-tinged
©2011 Margo Bors
© Project SOUND
Flowers are pink-purple
Blooms: In summer – one of the later
ones (to fall in N. CA
Usually May-July in S. CA; long season with summer water
Flowers: Abundant flowers per plant
Open and cup-like shape; magenta to pink
Petals darker at base – very noticeable in side view
Wild types often similar to Clarkia amoena
Seeds: Many small seeds in typical
Clarkia capsule; edible
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Clarkia_rubicunda_subsp._blasdalei.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Clarkia_rubicunda
© Project SOUND
Ruby Chalice –
drought tolerant Soils:
Texture: quite adaptable
pH: any local
Light: Full sun to part-shade – good
transition area plant
Water: Winter/spring: supplement if
needed
Summer: occasional water may extend bloom season well into summer – more drought-tolerant than C. amoena
Fertilizer: likes poor soils but wouldn’t mind some fertilizer
Other: gravel mulch
©2008 Neal Kramer
© Project SOUND
Ruby Chalice – good
for informal look
In a life-friendly habitat garden; all Clarkias attract insect pollinators, hummingbirds and seed-eating birds
Massed for a cottage garden effect
Mixed in a meadow or prairie planting
Lovely as a color spot in containers
Good filler, bulb cover http://www.gardeningwithnatives.com/articles/wildflower_top
_10.html
http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/wild-in-the-city/#
©2008 Neal Kramer
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Cultivar ‘Shamini’
Likely a hybrid with C. amoena or other Clarkia/Godetia
Very brightly colored & large (2-3 inch) flowers – almost unbelievable
Late-blooming – through summer
Available from Annie Annuals
© Project SOUND http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/anniesannuals/4439354572/
Extending the annual show into summer
Include some later-blooming species in your garden Clarkias – esp. C. rubicunda, C.
unguiculata
Globe Gilia – Gilia capitata
Annual Phacelias
Consider serial sowing:
Plant seeds at two week intervals from late winter until about April
Keep plants watered
© Project SOUND
Clarkia purpuria ssp. quadrivulnera
Purple Clarkia; Farewell-to-Spring; Winecup Fairy Fan; Four-spot
Coastal and lower elevations of S. CA
Coastal strand and slopes
Intergrades with other subspecies of Clarkia purpurea
© Project SOUND
Punchbowl Clarkia – Clarkia bottae/lewisii
http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Onagraceae/Clarkia%20bottae.htm
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© Project SOUND
Punchbowl Clarkia – Clarkia bottae
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5263,5341,5356
http://sbwildflowers.wordpress.com/wildflowers/onagraceae/clarkia/clarkia-bottae/
Coastal foothills below about 3000' from Monterey Co. south, including Santa Monica Mtns.
Dry opening in many plant communities: Coastal Sage Scrub, Closed-cone Pine Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Southern Oak Woodland, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral
© Project SOUND
Punchbowl Clarkia: wand-like & delicate
Size: 1 to 2 ft tall (usually; in wild)
1+ ft wide
Growth form: Annual wildflower (herbaceous)
Foliage:
Wand-like – similar to Purple Clarkia but smaller/shorter
Rather slender stems – not much branching – often red/purple
Leaves gray-green, long & narrow (linear)
Leaves generally sparse
http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Onagraceae/Clarkia%20bottae.htm
© Project SOUND
Flowers are adorable
Blooms: In spring – any time from Mar to
summer
Depends on rain patterns, temperature; a little summer water extends bloom season
Flowers: Pale magenta – usually with lighter
centers of petals
May have dark magenta ‘freckles’, but no blotches
Open and large – 1 inch +
Four long and four short stamens and a pistil with a four-part stigma that extends beyond the anthers. The outer anthers are lavender-colored and the inner are yellowish.
©2009 Lynn Watson
©2009 Lynn Watson
Growing Clarkia from
seed
Fruit – an 8-ribbed pod that develops below the petals
Seed is small – 1,500,000/lb
Collect seed spring/summer when pods become brown
Keep seed cool and dry until planting
Sow seed in place in spring or fall (at the time of first rains)
Seeds germinate in 7-21 days when daytime temperatures are in the 70
© Project SOUND
©2009 Thomas Stoughton
http://www.hazmac.biz/090810/090810ClarkiaBottae.html
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© Project SOUND
Punchbowl Clarkia -
easy to please
Soils: Texture: any
pH: any local
Light: Full sun to part-shade; great in
intermediate zones, under tall trees
Water: Winter/spring: supplement as
needed
Summer: dry to regular water (Zones 1-2 to 2-3)
Fertilizer: none needed; likes poor soils but fine with fertilizer
Other: tolerates seaside conditions, alkaline soil, salt, and clay
©2010 Michael O'Brien
Beatrice F. Howitt © California Academy of Sciences
Myths about gardening with Clarkia
the cultivation literature almost always stresses growing clarkias in poor soils lest lush leaves be grown at the expense of flowers.
the truth is that most clarkia prefer at least moderately fertile soils – tolerate fertilizer
sandy, well-drained soils are great, but most do well in clay
tolerate full sun to partial shade
like moist soil in spring; can water into early summer
May need to be staked
http://www.coestatepark.com/clarkia_purpurea_ssp__quadrivulnera.htm
© Project SOUND
Punchbowl Clarkia is a
perfect naturalizer
As an attractive pot plant
Tucked in those ‘tough to fill’ places
Combined with other Clarkias – make a nice contrast
In wildflower meadows/prairies
http://sbwildflowers.wordpress.com/wildflowers/onagraceae/clarkia/clarkia-bottae/
http://www.mijntuin.org/exchange/offers/2
http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/wildflower_watch_wk13.htm
Cultivar ‘Lilac Pixie’
Flowers over long season; look stunning en-masse.
Grows only 10-12" tall, annual
Ideal for beds and borders. Suitable as cut flowers.
Widely available from conventional (British) seed companies – and on e-bay
© Project SOUND
http://www.longacres.co.uk/plants/seeds/flower-seeds/clarkia-
lilac-pixie-suttons-109842.html
http://www.seedman.com/aclarkia.htm
http://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/Flower+Seeds/All+Flower+See
ds/Clarkia+Lilac+Pixie+Seeds_109842.htm
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© Project SOUND
So get out and look at annual wildflowers
in local gardens
Go on the native plant garden tours
© Project SOUND
Theodore Payne Foundation –
local gardens tomorrow
(Sun/4/7)
© Project SOUND
Note which wildflowers do well in sun,
shade and in between
http://back40feet.blogspot.com/2011/08/larner-seeds-demonstration-garden.html © Project SOUND
Celebrate wildflowers - come draw, paint and photograph April 13 & 14