Collomia grandiflora
Collomia is a unique annual wildflower with a terminal cluster of trumpet shaped flowers that are peach-colored with visible blue anthers. Not only is this flower color rare in a NW native garden, but Collomia holds its showy blooms for several weeks. It attracts bumblebees, honey bees, and larger native bees.
- Plant type/canopy layer: annual herbaceous plant, herb/ground layer
- Size at maturity: 18"-24" tall and 6”-12” wide
- Light requirements: full sun to part shade
- Moisture requirements: dry to moist soil
- Bloom Time: May - early June
- Growth rate/ease: moderate growth rate, easy to grow
- Wildlife support: attracts and supports honey bees, native bees including bumblebees
- Native habitat/range: Common in woody areas from sea level to mid-elevation across the Pacific Northwest from northern California to British Columbia. Portland Plant List - yes.
- Special features & uses: pollinator gardens, meadowscapes, drought-tolerant
Gardening with Grand Collomia: This beautiful wildflower prefers fully to mostly sunny sites with well-drained soil of average fertility. Although it is an annual, it will readily reseed itself if planted in a favorable location.
Sowing instructions: Scatter seed on loose-weed free soil. between September and November or in March so that seeds will benefit from seasonal rains. If sowing in April or May, seeds will benefit from supplemental water to encourage strong growth and blooms the first year. Raked in the seeds to increase seed-to-soil contact, but be careful not to cover the seed with more than 1/4" soil.
Photo Credit 1: "Collomia grandiflora" by John Game is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Photo Credit 2: "Large Flowered Collomia (Collomia grandiflora)" by Tim Berger is licensed under CC BY 2.0