Clarkia unguiculata, Elegant Dark Salmon Clarkia seed
Mountain Garland (Clarkia unguiculata), also known as Elegant Clarkia, is a native wildflower of the western United States, prized for its vertical spires of brilliant blooms. A close relative of Godetia (Clarkia amoena), this species offers an equally dazzling floral display in a wider range of garden settings. Covers 5 ft.
The ‘Elegant Dark Salmon’ variety stands out with its rich, deep salmon-pink blooms, a unique and striking shade that brings warmth and sophistication to borders, wildflower gardens, and cutting beds. This variety pairs beautifully with lighter pinks, purples, and whites, creating an eye-catching contrast within mixed plantings.
Mountain Garland typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall in regions like the Pacific Northwest and may benefit from light support or staking as it matures. It thrives in USDA zones 1 through 11, especially in temperate climates with cool evenings. The buds bloom sequentially from the base to the tip of each stem, forming long-lasting floral columns.
As a cut flower, Mountain Garland is exceptional. For longest vase life, harvest stems when lower blooms are just opening and upper buds remain tightly closed, allowing the flowers to continue blooming after cutting.Plant in a location with full sun to partial shade, avoiding hot, dry, or excessively humid conditions. Like Godetia, Mountain Garland prefers low-nutrient, well-drained soils—especially those low in nitrogen. Rich soils may encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
This plant is best direct-sown outdoors, as it does not transplant well. Sow seeds in spring in most zones, or in fall in zones 7–10 to take advantage of cool-season establishment and spring blooms.
The Elegant Dark Salmon variety of Mountain Garland offers a unique, glowing hue rarely found in other wildflowers, making it a must-have for gardeners seeking bold, romantic color in an easy-to-grow native species.
How to Use Your Cover Crop & Native Seed Packets
Each seed packet is measured to cover 25 sq ft or 100 sq ft, depending on the size you chose.
Sowing Instructions
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When to sow: Fall is ideal in Portland. The soil is still warm for germination, and fall rains keep seedlings watered. Some seeds (like meadowfoam or clovers) can also be spring-sown.
How to sow:
- Rake the soil lightly to create good seed-to-soil contact.
- Scatter the contents of the packet evenly over the area (don’t worry about perfect spacing).
- Gently press or rake seeds in so they make contact with the soil. Do not bury deeply — most native and cover crop seeds need light to germinate.
- Water: Fall rains usually do the job, but water lightly if the weather turns dry.
What to Expect
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Traditional Cover Crops (rye, peas, fava, daikon, crimson clover, buckwheat, mustard): Grow quickly, protect soil, and build fertility. In spring, chop them down or mow before they set seed. Some (like rye) can also be crimped into a mulch.
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Living Mulches (red fescue, dwarf yarrow, creeping thyme, low clovers): These stay low and provide long-term weed suppression and ground cover. Shear lightly as needed, but they don’t require replanting every year.
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Pollinator Wildflowers (Clarkia, poppy, gilia, flax, meadowfoam, coneflower, blanketflower): Not classic cover crops, but they add beauty and attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Many reseed naturally.
Spring & Summer Management
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Chop-and-drop: Cut plants at the base and leave them as mulch (peas, fava, clovers).
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Mow: Use on ryegrass or cereals to turn them into quick mulch.
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Crimp: Flatten tall rye or grains at flowering to create a long-lasting weed barrier.
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Shear perennials: Yarrow, thyme, and sedges can be trimmed back after bloom.
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Self-seeders: Flowers like poppy, clarkia, and meadowfoam will often reseed themselves. Leave some seed heads if you want them back next year.
Quick Tips
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Cover crops = soil builders.
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Living mulches = weed suppressors.
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Wildflowers = pollinator magnets.
Tulle or row cover can protect young seedlings from birds and slugs until established.
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