06 Summer - Clarkia from Mendocino and Humboldt counties

This is a rare clarkia from Mendocino and Humboldt counties.

With a little protection from birds, each seed will sprout. The small plant is very green and grows low over the ground, with pink or purple veins in its leaves. It eventually grows to about three feet by three feet and takes on a drier, woodsy look. Almost over night, flower buds develop, and soon there are as many flowers as leaves.

I leave the spent flowers on the plant and collect the seed pods, when they are black or brown and very brittle.

This plant is from the summer, 2006, and I have already started its descendants in six packs and seeded our fride garden with good results.