Also known as Godetia · 231 gardener saves
Clarkia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Clarkia, the genus most gardeners know as godetia. We track 9 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 9 most-saved Clarkia varieties
Of 9 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedBlasdale's Clarkia
Clarkia rubicunda 'blasdalei'
#2 most savedPunch Bowl Clarkia
Clarkia bottae 'Punch Bowl'
#3 most savedTracy's clarkia
Clarkia gracilis 'ssp tracyi'
Mountain Garland White
Clarkia unguiculata 'Mountain Garland White'
Elegant Clarkia
Clarkia speciosa 'immaculata'
Shamini Clarkia Shamini Godetia
Clarkia rubicunda 'Shamini'
Woodland Clarkia
Clarkia unguiculata 'Woodland Clarkia'
Red Ribbons
Clarkia concinna 'Red Ribbons'
Salmon Queen Clarkia
Clarkia elegans 'Salmon Queen'
How to grow Clarkia
What the Clarkia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 9 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Clarkia year
- PlantFebruary and March100% of varieties
Sow seeds directly in early spring or scatter in fall for naturalizing.
- HarvestMay–July100% of varieties
Allow seed heads to dry fully for self-seeding or collection.
- DeadheadJune–August56% of varieties
Remove spent blooms to maintain appearance and encourage self-seeding
- PropagateAugust and September33% of varieties
Collect dried seed pods for sowing next season
- StakeMay and June33% of varieties
Provide light support (pea stakes) if grown in rich soil or windy areas.
Do
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Water consistently during dry spells 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during the growing season
- Deadhead to extend flowering period
- Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during peak growth
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Do not disturb roots during flowering
- Don’t overcrowd seedlings to prevent disease
What goes wrong with Clarkia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Increase humidity and use miticide if needed |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and spray with fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Ensure good air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning roots | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if needed |
Making more Clarkia
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil and keep humid for 6 weeks
Seed sowing
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring
- Maintain soil moisture for germination, approximately 2 weeks
- Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding
- Transplant outdoors after frost risk passes
Clarkia questions
How many types of Clarkia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 9 distinct Clarkia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 231 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Clarkia grow in?
Across its varieties, Clarkia covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Clarkia bloom?
Most Clarkia varieties bloom in late spring, early summer, early summer, late spring to early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Clarkia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Clarkia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
