Carried by 16 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Gilia capitata is a species of flowering plant in the Polemoniaceae (Phlox) family known by the common names bluehead gilia and blue field gilia. It is native to much of western North America from Alaska to northern Mexico, and it can be found on the eastern side of the continent as an introduced species. In California it is widespread, occurring along the coast and in the Sierras. It grows in many habitats, especially in sandy or rocky soils. This wildflower is somewhat variable in form and appearance, with eight recognized subspecies. The branching, leafy stems reach anywhere from 10 to 90 centimeters in maximum height and sometimes having hairy hairs on the fleshy herbage. The leaves are divided into toothed or lobed leaflets. Atop the branches of the thick stem are spherical flower clusters of 50 to 100 small flowers. Each flower has a throat opening into a spreading corolla which may be white, pink, lavender, or light blue. The stamens protrude slightly from the flower's mouth and are white with white, blue, or pink anthers. In the garden it is best use in a meadow-like setting with other annuals. It is frequently included in wildflower seed mixes.
Annual herb
4 - 36 in Tall
Blue, Lavender, Pink, White
Winter, Spring
Containers
Full Sun
Very Low
Max 2x / month once established
Moderate
Tolerates cold to -20° F
Fast, Medium
Tolerates clay but does best in well-drained soil.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 7.0
For propagating by seed: No treatment; 2 wks. stratification improves germination ( Grant 1949).
Open, sandy rocky places in many settings, from coastal lowlands to higher mountains and from mesic to xeric
Chaparral, Coastal Prairie, Coastal Sage Scrub, Coastal Strand, Douglas-Fir Forest, Foothill Woodland, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Northern Coastal Scrub, Red Fir Forest, Yellow Pine Forest
Use with annuals and herbaceous perennials such as California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Clarkia spp., Baby Blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii), and Scarlet Delphinium (Delphinium cardinale); geophytes such as wild onions (Allium spp.), Mariposa Lily (Calochortus spp.), and Brodiaea spp.; also native grasses
Butterflies and moths supported
1 confirmed and 4 likely