California Creamcups
Platystemon californicus
Care
full sun
low
Fast; Prefers sandy, gravelly soil. No clay.
0–1ft tall , 0–0ft wide
Jan-Dec
Resistant
Friendly
Prized
Central Valley and surrounding foothills from Kern County to Shasta County, below 2500 ft elevation, in grasslands and open woodlands
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Creamcups in full sun with fast-draining, sandy or gravelly soil - clay will kill it. Space them out in a sunny spot where water won't pool, since they're desert-adapted annuals that hate wet feet. Plant in fall or winter so they can establish before the spring bloom season.
After Planting
Water occasionally during the first growing season to help them get established, but once established, you only need to water at most twice a month during summer. The #1 mistake is overwatering or planting in heavy soil; these are wildflowers that thrive on neglect, so resist the urge to baby them. Since they're annuals, expect them to flower through winter and spring, then set seed and fade as summer heat arrives - this is normal and healthy.
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Wildlife Supported
Insects
larvae feed on flower buds and developing seed pods in spring
spring forager on cream cups flowers; pollen provisioning for larvae
spring emergence coincides with plant flowering; primary pollen source for nesting females
spring specialist on native wildflowers
spring bloom period foraging; important pollen source
spring foraging on cream cups flowers
spring adult foraging on flowers; hovering pollinator
desert species utilizing spring ephemeral blooms
+4 more species