Description
Clarkia – Eucharidium – Godetia –
There are about 36 species of mostly slender stemmed, bushy annuals, name after Capt. William Clarke, in this genus. They occur on dry, open slopes, from sea level to 8,000′ feet high in Western North America and South America. They produce oval or linear to elliptic, sometimes toothed leaves. In summer it bears spreading, funnel shaped, paper ting flowers with a satin like texture, and can be up to 4″ across in shades of pink, white, and carmine, carried in upright, leafy racemes. Grow in an annual border, Clarkia species and cultivars are also good for cutting.
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained, slightly acidic soil in sun or partial shade. Very fertile soil encourage growth of foliage at the expense of flowers. They dislike hot, humid conditions.
Prone to downy mildew, rust, botrytis leaf spot, and root rot.
C. unguniculata – C. elegans – This erect annual from California grows 12-36″ tall and 8″ wide. It produces lance shaped, elliptic, or ovate leaves. In summer, it bears solitary, lavender to salmon-pink, purplish red, or dark red-purple, rarely white flowers, ½-1 ½” across.
Zones
