Clarkia rubicunda

Common Names

Farewell To Spring, Ruby Chalice Clarkia, Rubinclarkia, Satin Flower, Fairyfan, Ruby Chalice

Summary

Ruby chalice Clarkia is a California-endemic annual wildflower native to the central coast, with an erect to decumbent habit reaching about 1–3 ft tall. It features goblet-shaped four-petalled flowers pink to lavender with a red or purplish base and sometimes a dark center, blooms May–Aug, and has lanceolate to elliptic leaves; the plant self-seeds readily and provides striking displays in openings such as woodlands, chaparral, and coastal scrub.

Thrives in full sun to light shade with very low water needs, requiring at most about monthly irrigation in summer after establishment; soil is adaptable, including clay; hardy to 15°F; suitable for containers and ideal for pollinator gardens and cut-flower plantings; deer resistant; Sunset zones 7, 8, 9, 14–17, 22–24.

Lifecycle

Annual

Height

1-5 feet

Spread

1 1/2 to 2 1/2 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 1-12

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil, sandy or loamy substrates rich in organic matter.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil.

Bloom Color

Pink to lavender

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds (fall sowing; self-seeding; self-sows strongly; collect seeds by allowing pods to dry on the plant)

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and butterflies