Description
Linanthus –
There are about 35 species of annuals and perennial in this genus. They usually occur in sandy and gravelly sites in grassland or scrub in Western USA , Mexico and Chile. They have branched stems which carry alternate or opposite leaves, which are sometimes simple, but usually pinnately or palmately lobed, or fully divided, with linear segments. Bell or funnel shaped, white, blue, lilac, pink or yellow flowers are held singly or in loose cymes or dense heads, from spring to summer. Grow the perennial species in a rock garden the annuals are suitable for an annual border or wild garden.
Grow in any light, well drained soil in full sun.
Prone to rust and leaf spot.
L. dianthiflorus – Ground Pink – This erect, slender, branching downy annual found from Southern California to Mexico grows 2-5″ tall and 2″ wide. It produces mostly opposite, narrowly linear leaves, to 3/4″ long. From spring to summer it bears funnel shaped then spreading yellow throated, white, pink, or lilac-blue flowers, to 1″ across, the petals lobed, toothed, and spotted at the bases, are held singly or in short, few flowered, leafy cymes.
Zones 7-8
