Large-flowered Collomia
Collomia grandiflora
Care
full sun
0–3ft tall
Jun-Aug
Friendly
Prized
Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains from Tuolumne County north to Modoc County, 2000-8000 ft elevation in open forests and meadows.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant your Large-flowered Collomia in full sun - it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive and produce those lovely white, yellow, or orange flowers. This annual grows 1–3 feet tall, so give it space to stretch out. Plant in spring for summer blooms (June through August). While the Calscape data doesn't specify soil preferences, this native western plant will tolerate typical Bay Area garden conditions.
After Planting
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish strong roots, especially through the dry Bay Area summers. Since this is an annual, expect it to complete its life cycle and set seed by fall - those sticky seeds will self-sow if you let them. Moderate care means this plant isn't finicky, but don't let it completely dry out during its blooming period. The biggest mistake is planting it in shade; Large-flowered Collomia won't flower well without full sun.
Visit Calscape for more information about Large-flowered Collomia
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Primary pollen foraging resource
Pollen source during peak bloom period
Early season nectar source for colony establishment
Fungal pathogen specific to Collomia species
Fungal infection during cool spring conditions
Pollen source for cavity nesting females
Pollen source for provisioning nests in plant stems
Larval provisioning with pollen
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