Godetia / Clarkia Seeds

Godetia is a flowering plant native to western North America, found in coastal hills and mountains from British Columbia south to the San Francisco Bay area. Growing as tall as three feet, godetia is commonly used as an ornamental. Also known as Clarkia, named after Captain Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, this flower also has other commonly known nicknames, such as "farewell to spring."

• Easy to grow and maintain
• Perfect for container gardens
• Commonly called satin flower
• Offer lovely pink and white, frilly, cup-shaped blooms

Godetia or Clarkia, sometimes known as Mountain Garland, is a native California wildflower. In the spring and summer, it's lovely and delicate blossoms burst with color. These flowers come in pink, white, red, and purple hues and may reach a height of 22 inches. These blooms are perfect for beds, borders, container or patio gardens, and cut flower gardens! Not only will godetia attract butterflies and other pollinators, but these gorgeous flowers are deer resistant as well, meaning there is little hassle in curating their radiant beauty. The godetia flowers are said to act as a symbol of enthusiasm and charm.

Godetia seeds prefer well-draining, average (not too rich) soil. They thrive in full sun conditions but can tolerate some shade. Be mindful of your planting site and the weather in your area as godetia does not perform well in hot and humid conditions.

Direct sow your seeds in early spring or, if you're located in zones 8 through 10, you may choose to sow your seeds in the fall. These seeds like to be sown densely and without being covered as they require sunlight to germinate. Water regularly. Once seedlings germinate, thin back to about four to six inches apart. Godetia flowers grow quickly and should produce blooms within 90 days, typically in June or July.

When plants are established, godetia is drought tolerant and does not require any fertilizer. The stems can sometimes grow to be a bit weak, so staking may be required. While godetia is mostly pest free, check often for foot and stem rot at the base of your plants. Keep in mind that godetia flowers self-seed very reliably and will reappear year after year once sown. If using your blooms for cut flowers, strip the foliage from the stems and hang upside down in a dark and well- ventilated area. The vase life of godetia blooms is about five to ten days.

Companion plants for godetia include pansy, snapdragon, sage, columbine, and poppy.

For more information about planting, growing, and caring for godetia flower seed, see the Godetia (Clarkia) Seeds Planting Guide.