Gilia capitata ‘Willamette Valley Form’

globe gilia, bluefields

Deciduous Annual or Biennial

"Globe Gilia or Bluefields is a widespread annual wildflower from British Columbia to Baja. To 30″ tall and forming a substantial plant very quickly. From April to July and sometimes longer these striking sky blue flowers appear and rise on tall stems displaying the orbs of flowers. If you apply light consistent water and remove the spent flowers they can re-bloom. Otherwise, they persist until hot weather and then set seed and die. Studies at OSU on native pollinators ranked this #1 as their source for pollen/nectar. That alone gives you reason to include this re-seeding plant in your garden. Rich, to average disturbed sites are ideal. It often grows and self sows in the disturbed slopes of road cuts, dry hillsides. In the garden it LOVES good conditions and will be much larger, bloom longer, with flowers of a darker hue of blue. A great wildflower for the garden that makes a sweet cut flower. Loved by pollinators of all kinds. Wild areas, hell strips, dry gardens. Easy to naturalize if you contain the competition from other plants. Locally native in the Portland city limits. New plants germinate in autumn and overwinter happily. Oregon native plant." Xera Plants

Growing Conditions

Zone:

Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Afternoon Sun

Water Needs: Drought-tolerant, Low, Low Water / No Water, Occasional, Regular / Even

Description

Size: 24 - 30 tall x 24 - 30 wide
Shape / Form: Irregular
Foliage Texture: Fine
Foliage Quality: Fine

Features: Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Drought-tolerant / Water wise, Flowers, Long Blooming, Low Maintenance, Native Plant

Foliage Color: Green

Flower Color: Blue
Bloom Season: Late Spring / Early Summer, Summer
Flower Shape: Sphere


Uses and Applications

Landscape Uses: Matrix, Attracts Pollinators, Beds and Borders, Cutting Garden, Food for Foraging Wildlife, Hell Strip, Naturalize, Rock Garden
Special Situations: Low Water / No Water, Reflected Heat, Tough / Fool-Proof
Wildlife: Bees, Beneficial Insects, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinators

More Design Considerations

Season of Interest: Summer, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Late Spring / Early Summer
Position / Role: continuity creator, matrix / mingler
Collections: eGardenGo Favorite, Plants That Earn Their Keep

Care and Maintenance

Maintenance Level: low

Plant Combos