Clarkia – Elegant White

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Clarkia ‘Elegant White’ (Clarkia unguiculata), also known as Elegant Clarkia or Mountain Garland, is a beautiful annual wildflower native to the western United States. This variety is known for its clean white flowers that bloom along tall, slender stems. The bright flower color makes it well suited to wildflower gardens, flower borders, cottage gardens, naturalized plantings, pollinator gardens, and cut-flower plantings.

Plants generally grow 24–36 inches tall and produce slender, upright stems with flowers opening progressively along the stem. The blooms create an attractive vertical display and provide a fresh, bright appearance throughout the flowering season.

This annual performs well in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soils. It is particularly well adapted to the dry summer conditions common throughout much of the Pacific Northwest.

Native to the western United States, Mountain Garland occurs naturally in open woodlands, grasslands, hillsides, and other dry habitats. It is well suited to naturalized landscapes, wildflower meadows, native plantings, and pollinator gardens.

Pacific Northwest Planting

This variety can be planted in both fall and spring in the Pacific Northwest. Fall planting is particularly useful in western Oregon and other areas with mild winters, allowing seeds to experience cool, moist conditions before germinating naturally in late winter or spring.

Fall Planting

Fall planting is recommended in areas with mild winter conditions. Sow directly outdoors after temperatures have cooled enough to prevent premature germination.

Fall-planted seeds can remain dormant through winter and germinate as temperatures and soil conditions become favorable. In western Oregon and other areas with suitable winter conditions, fall planting can provide an early start to the growing season and may result in earlier spring flowering.

Spring Planting

Spring planting is a reliable option throughout the Pacific Northwest once soil conditions are suitable.

Sow directly into a prepared seed bed and provide good seed-to-soil contact. Direct seeding is recommended because these plants generally do not transplant well.

Early spring planting allows plants to establish during cool spring conditions before flowering begins later in the season.

Planting in Other Regions

This variety is adaptable to a wide range of climates and can be planted in spring or fall depending on local conditions.

In colder regions, spring planting is generally the most reliable option. In areas with mild winters, fall planting can allow seeds to experience natural winter conditions and produce early spring growth.

The plants perform best in temperate growing conditions and may benefit from supplemental moisture during establishment in areas with hot, dry summers.

For detailed information on site preparation, seeding methods, planting depth, and general planting practices, see our Planting Directions page.

Establishment & Growth

This annual establishes readily from seed. Plants generally grow 24–36 inches tall and produce white flowers along upright stems.

Germination generally occurs within 15–30 days, with flowering beginning approximately 7–8 weeks after planting under suitable growing conditions.

Direct seeding is recommended. Prepare a fine, well-drained seed bed and provide good seed-to-soil contact. These plants generally do not require highly fertile soil or heavy fertilization.

Flowering typically occurs during spring and summer depending on planting date and growing conditions. Flowers open progressively along the stems, creating a long-lasting vertical display. Allowing some flowers to mature and produce seed may result in natural reseeding where conditions are favorable.

The long, slender stems can also make attractive cut flowers. Harvest stems when the lower flowers are beginning to open while additional buds remain higher on the stem.

Pollinator & Wildlife Value

The flowers provide nectar and pollen for flower-visiting insects, including bees and butterflies. They can provide an attractive floral resource during the spring and summer flowering season.

As a native western wildflower, this plant is well suited to native plantings, pollinator gardens, wildflower meadows, and naturalized landscapes.

Larger Quantities

For quantities larger than those currently listed for sale, please contact us for availability and pricing.

Seeding Rates

The broadcast rate for seeding is 4–5 pounds per acre.

The seed drill rate for seeding in rows is 2 pounds per acre.