Bird’s Eye Gilia is a showy and delicate appearing but tough hardy annual from the central valley of California into the Coast Ranges as well as Sierra Nevada foothills. To 6″ tall each stalk bears multiple gorgeous purple to white flowers with a distinct dark eye. Give your pollinators a treat this diminutive plant will bloom for 4-6 weeks in late spring to summer in our climate. Give it open disturbed soil without competition form invasive grasses to complete its life cycle, where it will reseed with abandon. Lovely little west coast native annual for sunny, wild sites. Good in containers for a brief but brilliant wildflower display. Excellent in parking strips where it will love the reflected heat. Light consistent water until its time to go quietly to sleep. Good drainage helps.
Gilia tricolor
Family: Polemoniaceae Genus: Gilia
Plant type: Annual/Biennial
Biomes/Growing conditions: Hot Aspects, Low Water/No Water, Western Native
Sun exposure: Full Sun
USDA Hardiness zone: Zn8b 20º to 15ºF
Foliage color: Mid Green
Foliage season: Winter Deciduous