Data 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.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

4 - 36 in Tall

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Color

Blue, Lavender, Pink, White

Flowering season

Winter, Spring

Special uses

Containers

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Very Low

Summer irrigation

Max 2x / month once established

Ease of care

Moderate

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to -20° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium

Soil description

Tolerates clay but does best in well-drained soil.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 7.0

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment; 2 wks. stratification improves germination ( Grant 1949).

Site type

Open, sandy rocky places in many settings, from coastal lowlands to higher mountains and from mesic to xeric

Plant communities

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

Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 4 likely

Confirmed Likely

Adela singulella

Spotted Straw Sun Moth

Heliothis phloxiphaga

Kodiosoma fulvum

Schinia biundulata