Great Sky Pilot
Polemonium occidentale
Care
part shade
moderate
Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.
2–3ft tall
Mar-May
Resistant
Friendly
Prized
High elevation regions of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range in northern and central California, 6000-11000 ft elevation, in subalpine and alpine wet meadows.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Great Sky Pilot in part shade with moist, loamy or clay soil - avoid sandy soils where it struggles. Space plants to accommodate their 2-3 foot mature height. Spring is the ideal planting time in the Bay Area. This native perennial prefers consistently moist conditions, so choose a spot that naturally stays damp rather than one requiring constant hand-watering.
After Planting
Water weekly through your first summer to establish the plant, then transition to moderate watering once established. Great Sky Pilot is a rhizomatous perennial that will spread gradually - you don't need to prune it, just let it grow. The biggest mistake is planting it in sandy or dry soil; this plant will decline without adequate moisture and proper soil structure, so amend heavy clay with organic matter if needed to improve drainage while maintaining moisture retention.
Wildlife Supported
Insects
primary foraging during flowering period for colony provisioning
fungal infection of plant surfaces
host-specific pathogen on plant tissues
fungal infection of foliage and stems