woodland wildflower
Elegant Clarkia
Clarkia unguiculata
Also known as Elegant Fairyfan, Mountain Garland
1 of 2Native to California
California Coast Ranges from Mendocino and Lake counties, south to northern San Diego county; also Sierran foothills from Butte to Kern counties
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Annual Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and lean, dry soil. At up to 3 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
also Western Honey Bee, Black-tailed Bumble Bee, Urbane Digger Bee +7 more
Crotch's Bumble Bee, Xylocopa tabaniformis parkinsoniae, Van Dyke's Bumble Bee, Clarkia Evening Bee, Habropoda tristissima, Foothill Carpenter Bee, Valley Carpenter Bee - Butterflies Monarch also Marine Blue, Umber Skipper
- Flower flies Oblique Streaktail also Greater Bee Fly, Eurasian Smoothwing
- Also visited by
- Moths: White-lined Sphinx
- Birds: Spinus psaltria
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Marine bluenectar
- Monarch butterflynectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- CaliforniaUnited States (1): CA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- California Coast Ranges from Mendocino and Lake counties, south to northern San Diego county; also Sierran foothills from Butte to Kern countiesThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Dry soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- AnnualWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- May–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, Pink, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.