True Babystars
Leptosiphon bicolor
Care
full sun, part shade
0–0ft tall
Friendly
Prized
Coastal sage scrub and grassland from the San Francisco Bay Area to Santa Barbara County, below 2000 ft elevation
Care Guide
Planting
Plant True Babystars in full sun where they'll get at least 6 hours of direct light daily - they can tolerate part shade but perform best in bright conditions. Since this is a low-growing annual with needle-like foliage, space plants a few inches apart to allow air circulation. Plant in spring after frost danger has passed to give them the full growing season.
After Planting
Water regularly during the growing season to keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, then reduce watering as the plant matures and temperatures cool in fall. As an annual, True Babystars will complete their lifecycle in a single season, flowering and then declining naturally - no pruning or special maintenance is needed. The biggest mistake is overwatering, which can cause root rot in these delicate plants.
Wildlife Supported
Insects
fungal pathogen on foliage during bloom period
fungal pathogen infection during moist spring conditions
pollen and nectar feeding during adult emergence
pollen feeder supporting early season aphid predators
early season nectar source for adult flies