Five Spot

Five Spot is a charming and delicate-looking cool-season annual native to California, particularly the Sierra Nevada foothills. This low-growing wildflower is best known for its distinctive, bowl-shaped white petals marked with purple or blue spots at each tip—hence the name “Five Spot.” It is a standout in wildflower meadows, containers, and hanging baskets, as well as in shaded garden borders.

Five Spot prefers cooler climates and thrives in full sun to partial shade, depending on your location. In cool coastal or northern climates, it can tolerate more direct sun, while in warmer regions, it performs best with afternoon or dappled shade. Planting it on the north or east side of a building provides ideal light conditions in hotter zones. Avoid intense midday sun, which can stress the plant and reduce blooming.

This flower grows best in cool, moist, well-drained soils that are not overly rich in nutrients. Overly fertile soil may promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Although moderately drought-tolerant once established, Five Spot does best with consistent moisture during its growing season.

In USDA Zones 7–13, Five Spot should be fall-planted to take advantage of mild winters and early spring rains. In colder climates (Zones 6 and below), sow in early spring after the danger of hard frost has passed, or start indoors in a greenhouse for earlier blooms.

It typically blooms from early spring through late May, especially in regions with wet winters and cool springs, like Oregon and northern California. Plants grow in dense, low mounds, making them excellent for ground cover, rock gardens, or naturalized plantings alongside other wildflowers.

The broadcast rate for seeding is 40 – 50 pounds per acre.

The seed drill rate for seeding in rows is 20 pounds per acre.