Clarkia concinna – Red ribbons – California wildflower Annual
Tweet Thisclarkia concinna - red ribbons- This is an annual plant with erect, herbaceous stems. The distinctive flowers have four looping sepals of red or dark pink which look like loops of silk ribbon. The longer, pink petals have three lobes which are usually streaked with white. Flowers throughout the summer.
California native plants are an acquired taste, but there are exceptions to the rules. Red ribbons is an excellent plant for color splash in your garden. The flower lasts over a month and they are drought tolerant. In fact, if you water it too much, you will lose flowers. They attract humming birds and other insects. In general, annuals die at the end of the season; therefore, they need to make enough seeds to perpetuate the species. This means they need to make a ton of seeds which in turn makes a ton of flowers. Perennials come back from year to year, so they are more lazy.
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How to plant:
They are almost impossible to buy in 6 packs. They can be sown regularly throughout the year with excellent results. You will have to grow them from seeds. Buy the seeds online before February and plant in flats. They germinate when there is a consistent amount of moisture in the soil. Plant them out in the garden (for instance in the front yard) just before the last rain of the winter season.
Watering:
Water until the plant is established and back off. They like dry heat. Sun and shade. Elegant container plant
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