Blue Fiesta Flower
Pholistoma auritum
Care
full sun, part shade
0–3ft tall
Resistant
Friendly
Prized
Coastal sage scrub and chaparral of southern California from Santa Barbara County to San Diego County, below 2500 ft elevation, extending to Baja California.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant your Blue Fiesta Flower in full sun to part shade in spring, giving it plenty of room to sprawl - these plants branch profusely and can get tangled, so space them accordingly. This California native thrives in the Bay Area's climate and tolerates diverse conditions, from coastal to desert-like environments, so it's fairly adaptable to different garden spots.
After Planting
Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish the plant, tapering off as it matures since it's adapted to dry habitats across California and the Southwest. Don't overwater or let it sit in soggy soil; the brittle, fleshy stems are prone to rot. Remember this is an annual, so expect it to complete its life cycle in one season - enjoy the delicate blue to purple flowers while they last, and let it self-seed if you want it to return next year.
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Wildlife Supported
Insects
Host plant for larval development
Host plant for larvae in spring-summer
Adult foraging on flowers
Forages on flowers during bloom