Clarkia Pulchella

Description

Clarkia Pulchella, commonly known as deerhorn clarkia, is a beautiful flowering plant that is native to western North America. It belongs to the Onagraceae family and is an annual plant that grows up to 2 feet tall. The plant produces slender stems with green leaves that are hairy and toothed. Its flowers are showy and brightly colored, ranging from pink to red, with four petals that are deeply notched. The flowers bloom from late spring to early summer and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Taxonomic Information

Domain	Eukaryota
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Spermatophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Myrtales
Family	Onagraceae
Genus	Clarkia

Appearance

The deerhorn clarkia has a slender and upright growth habit, reaching up to 2 feet in height. Its leaves are green, hairy, and toothed, measuring up to 4 inches long. The flowers of clarkia pulchella are showy and brightly colored, measuring up to 2 inches across. The petals are deeply notched, giving the flowers a unique and attractive shape. The flowers bloom from late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Care Guide

The deerhorn clarkia is an easy-to-grow annual plant that requires moderate care. Here are some tips for caring for your clarkia pulchella:

• Water: Water your clarkia pulchella regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged.
• Fertilization: Fertilize your clarkia pulchella once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
• Soil: The deerhorn clarkia prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
• Sunlight: The plant prefers full sun to partial shade.
• Hardiness Zones: Clarkia Pulchella is hardy in USDA zones 7-10.

Common Pests & Diseases

The deerhorn clarkia is susceptible to a few pests and diseases, including:

• Aphids: These small insects can suck the sap from the plant, causing stunted growth and deformities.
• Spider mites: These tiny pests can cause yellowing of the leaves and a fine webbing on the plant.
• Mildew: Powdery mildew can cause a white or gray coating on the plant, leading to leaf drop and stunted growth.

Habitat

The deerhorn clarkia is native to western North America and can be found growing in a variety of habitats, including open meadows, woodland edges, and disturbed areas. The plant prefers well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade.

Question and Answer

• Q: How long do the flowers of clarkia pulchella last?
• A: The flowers of clarkia pulchella typically last for several weeks.
• Q: Can clarkia pulchella be grown in containers?
• A: Yes, the plant can be grown in containers as long as the container is large enough to accommodate the plant’s size.
• Q: Does clarkia pulchella attract pollinators?
• A: Yes, the plant’s showy flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
• Q: Can clarkia pulchella tolerate drought?
• A: No, the plant prefers moist soil and does not tolerate drought well.

Related Plants

• Clarkia unguiculata
• Clarkia amoena
• Clarkia concinna
• Clarkia rostrata

References

• https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/clarkia_pulchella.shtml
• https://www.gardenia.net/plant/clarkia-pulchella
• https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CLPU