How to Grow and Care for Clarkia

Farewell to spring (*Clarkia amoena*) is a flowering plant native to western North America. It grows in mountainous regions and on bluffs near the coast. Its common name references how it blooms from late spring to early summer. The fruit is a capsule that dries out, then splits open to release an explosion of seeds.

Elegant clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata) is a wildflower native to the state of California in the United States. It favors woodland habitats where there are a lot of oak trees. It also goes by the names “Mountain Garland,” “Elegant Fairyfan,” and “Woodland Clarkia.”

Other names for pinkfairies (Clarkia pulchella) include deerhorn clarkia and ragged robin. This species is indigenous to North America's Pacific Northwest. Meriwether Lewis of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition was the first non-Native American to come across the plant. Even though Lewis first saw the plant, the genus name of “Clarkia” instead honors William Clark.

Winecup clarkia (Clarkia purpurea) is popular for garden borders or containers as it grows into a neat bush with abundant flowers. Unsurprisingly, it is the flowers that inspired the name; they start out cup-shaped and often take on the color of red wine as well. Honey bees love winecup clarkia, and it is a host plant for the long-tongued bedstraw hawkmoth.

Clarkia concinna is an annual wildflower endemic to the state of California in the U.S. It is typically found in low-elevation mountains in the state's northern regions. The flowers have four red or dark pink sepals that resemble loops of ribbon, earning it the common name red ribbons.