Wild Farewell to Spring
Clarkia amoena 'The Real'
Care
full sun
low
Fast, Medium, Slow; Tolerates both sandy and clay soils. Tolerates saline soil.,Tolerates sodic soil..
2–3ft tall
Mar-Aug
Resistant
Friendly
Prized
Coastal prairies and grasslands from Humboldt County to Mendocino County, below 1000 ft elevation.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Farewell to Spring in full sun where it will bloom from spring through early summer. This annual is remarkably flexible with soil - it tolerates sandy clay, and even saline or sodic soils - so amend only if drainage is poor. Plant in early spring to give it time to establish before heat sets in, spacing plants about 12 inches apart.
After Planting
Water weekly during the first growing season to help it establish, then back off significantly once settled. Once established, this drought-tolerant annual needs water no more than once a month through summer. Farewell to Spring self-seeds readily, so if you want it to return next year, let some flowers go to seed rather than deadheading everything - just pull seedlings that pop up where you don't want them.
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Wildlife Supported
Birds
Year-round California resident; spring breeding season pollinator
Insects
Nocturnal visitor to flowers for nectar
Phloem feeder on plant tissues during growth period
Overwinters in plant debris; preys on aphids colonizing host plant
Multi-generational species using flowers for adult energy
Adult nectar foraging during flight season