Red ribbons
Clarkia concinna
Care
full sun, part shade
very low
Fast; Reportedly does not do well in clay.
1–1ft tall , 1–1ft wide
Mar-Aug
Friendly
Prized
Coastal scrub and grasslands from Sonoma County to Santa Cruz County, below 2000 ft elevation.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Red Ribbons in fall or late summer by sowing seeds directly where you want them to grow - they prefer full sun and fast-draining soil, so avoid clay-heavy spots. Space them close together rather than thinning seedlings, since crowding actually encourages more blooms. They'll tolerate our Bay Area winters down to 15°F, so fall planting gives them time to establish before spring flowering.
After Planting
Water very lightly after planting, then once established, you'll only need to water once a month maximum during summer - this is a genuinely low-water plant. The biggest mistake people make is overwatering or amending clay soil without improving drainage; if your soil is heavy, work in compost or sand before planting. This is an annual, so expect it to flower spring through summer and complete its life cycle by fall.
Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
Known from very limited California locations
California listed as Threatened
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Specialist larval host relationship; moth named for this plant genus
Larval food plant for this native skipper butterfly
Foraging on flowers during blooming period
Native bee pollinator utilizing floral resources
Documented larval host plant in California
Native skipper butterfly using plant as larval food source
Native halictid bee utilizing floral resources
Large native bee foraging during flowering season
+1 more species