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Gilia capitata - Blue-thimble-flower seeds

Gilia capitata
Bluehead Gilia, Blue Field Gilia, Globe Gilia, Thimble Flower

4,2/5
4 reviews
1 reviews
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1 reviews

Great discovery! Gorgeous in pots and in the ground. Stunning colors for several months.

Régine, 03/11/2021

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

A pretty annual plant with fern-like foliage, with small inflorescences in spike-like heads of powdery lavender blue for a very long period. It will thrive in well-drained soil, in the sun, where it will easily self-seed. Sow it broadcast in spring.
Flower size
3 cm
Height at maturity
50 cm
Exposure
Sun
Annual / Perennial
Annual
Germination time (days)
15 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing
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Sowing period April to May, September to October
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Flowering time June to August
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Description

Gilia capitata is a very pretty annual plant, little used in our gardens despite its never-ending flowering and propensity to self-seed randomly among other plants in the garden, just like nigellas. It develops elegant, vibrant green foliage, cut like ferns and blooms abundantly in small balls of flowers, most often lavender blue or powder blue, from spring to summer depending on the sowing date and the climate. It is easy to grow in well-drained soil, essential in a flower meadow where it will work well alongside other wild annuals. It is also a very good cut flower.

 

Gilia capitata is an annual plant from the polemoniaceae family, just like Phlox and Polemonium. It is native to the coastal regions of western Canada, the United States, and Mexico, where it grows in open places, on dry slopes, and in chaparral, a kind of Californian and Mexican scrub vegetation. It therefore requires well-drained, sandy, or even rocky soil and is tolerant to drought. The plant forms a basal tuft and branched stems and reaches an average height of 50cm (20in) and a width of 30cm (12in) of densely leafy stems. The feathery and light foliage is composed of finely cut, vibrant green leaves with toothed leaflets. From April to August, solid, fleshy stems appear, carrying globular inflorescences of 2-3cm (1in) at their ends, containing 50 to 100 tiny blue, slightly fragrant flowers with prominent stamens which attract many pollinating insects. The flowers are followed by numerous seeds that easily germinate.

 

Gilia capitata is best sown directly in place, it is relatively hardy and tolerates heat and summer drought well as it adapts its vegetative cycle to the climate. In a flower meadow, it can be sown with cosmos, nigellas, California poppies, phacelia, sainfoin, and Buenos Aires verbena, which like the same growing conditions. It works well  in well-drained beds, alongside shrubby salvias, linarias, and grasses such as stipa tenuifolia or Muhlenbergia capillaris. It is a spontaneous flower, with a wild charm, also charming in bouquets.

 

 

Gilia capitata - Blue-thimble-flower seeds in pictures

Gilia capitata - Blue-thimble-flower seeds (Flowering) Flowering

Flowering

Flower colour blue
Flowering time June to August
Flower size 3 cm
Fragrance slightly scented
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Annual
Foliage colour green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 50 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Gilia

Species

capitata

Family

Polemoniaceae

Other common names

Bluehead Gilia, Blue Field Gilia, Globe Gilia, Thimble Flower

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference831171

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Planting and care

Sow the seeds of Gilia capitata in spring after the last frosts, or directly in late summer in milder climates. Broadcast the seeds, covering them with 6mm (0in) of fine soil. Germination will take 8 to 15 days. The plant is hardy in zone 7, and young plants that germinate in early autumn will easily survive mild winters if planted in light and well-drained soil.

Gilia capitata thrives in maritime climates and appreciates heat, sun, and sandy or rocky, well-drained soil. As such, it can withstand drought but may fare less well in extreme heat. Its flowering will be more beautiful in full sun and in soil that remains slightly moist, but it must be well-drained. In heavy soil, it is a good idea to mix in coarse river sand or gravel with the planting soil and loosen the soil to a depth of 50 cm (20in).

 

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Sowing period

Sowing period April to May, September to October
Sowing method Direct sowing
Germination time (days) 15 days

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Slope
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, well-draining.
4,2/5
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