Clarkia Crown Double Mix
Clarkia Crown Double Mix
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Clarkia 'Crown Double Mix' Seeds
At first glance, Clarkia looks like a string of miniature, ruffled roses or exotic orchids threaded along a tall stem. Known as 'Mountain Garland', this variety produces long, upright spikes packed with double blooms in a rich tapestry of shades: salmon-pink, royal purple, crisp white, and carmine-red.
Despite its delicate, exotic appearance, this is a tough cookie. It is a hardy annual that thrives in cooler summers and poor soil. It is an absolutely essential plant for the cutting patch; just a few plants will provide you with armfuls of long, stiff stems that add height, structure, and intense colour to bouquets.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata, formerly C. elegans) is a Hardy Annual.
It is native to California, but it actually prefers the cooler weather of a British spring/summer to the baking heat. It grows fast, flowers profusely, and sets seed, all in one season.
The "Rope" Effect: Unlike a daisy which has one flower at the top, Clarkia blooms all the way up the stem (axillary flowering). This makes every single stem a ready-made arrangement.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Clarkia has a small root system and hates being transplanted. Direct sowing is the secret to success.
Germination:
Sow directly outdoors in Autumn (Sept) for huge, early plants, or Spring (March-May). Scatter seeds onto raked soil and cover very lightly. Keep moist. Germination takes 7-14 days.
Where to Sow:
It likes sun or partial shade. It is one of the few flowers that actually prefers "poor," sandy, or acidic soil. Do not add manure, or you will get lots of leafy stems that flop over.
Care While Growing:
Spacing: Thin seedlings to 20-25cm apart. Good airflow prevents mildew.
Support: The stems are surprisingly sturdy, but in a windy garden, growing them through netting or using a few canes will keep the "garlands" straight for cutting.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Clarkia unguiculata (syn. C. elegans) |
| Common Name | Mountain Garland / Clarkia |
| Hardiness | H3/H4 (Hardy Annual) |
| Light Required | Sun or Partial Shade ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 60cm - 75cm (Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 25cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 20cm apart |
| Great for | ✂️ Cut Flowers 🏡 Cottage Gardens 🐝 Pollinators 🧱 Filling Gaps |
| Seed Count | Approx. 550 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Clarkia adds a "spiky" texture that looks great with softer shapes:
- 🎀 Godetia (Satin Flower): The Family Reunion. Godetia is closely related to Clarkia (sometimes called "Farewell to Spring"). They thrive in the same conditions and bloom at the same time, creating a riot of pinks and purples.
- 💙 Cornflower 'Blue Ball': The Colour Clash. The electric blue of Cornflowers looks stunning against the rich salmon and magenta tones of the Clarkia mix. Both are easy, hardy annuals.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow outdoors in autumn or spring. Flowers June to August.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Outdoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Vase Life Tip
To make Clarkia last longer in the vase (up to 10 days!), strip off all the lower leaves from the stem before putting them in water. Leaves below the water line will rot and shorten the flower's life.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Clarkia is a fantastic source of nectar. Its open, accessible flowers are particularly loved by bees and butterflies, making it a great addition to any wildlife garden.
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