Contents
Description
Clarkia breweri, also known as Brewer’s clarkia, is a beautiful and delicate plant that is native to California. It belongs to the Onagraceae family, which includes other popular garden plants such as evening primrose and fuchsia. The plant blooms in early summer and produces showy, cup-shaped flowers that come in shades of pink, purple, and white. The flowers are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies and are perfect for adding color to the garden.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya || Kingdom | Plantae || Phylum | Magnoliophyta || Class | Magnoliopsida || Order | Myrtales || Family | Onagraceae || Genus | Clarkia || Species | Breweri |
Appearance
The Clarkia breweri plant has a slender stem that can reach up to 3 feet in height. The leaves are long and narrow, and the flowers are arranged in dense clusters at the top of the stem. The flowers are delicate and have four petals that are arranged in a cup shape. They come in shades of pink, purple, and white and have a sweet fragrance. The plant blooms in early summer and continues to flower for several weeks.
Care Guide
Clarkia breweri is a relatively easy plant to grow and care for. Here are some tips to help you keep your plant healthy and happy:- Water: Clarkia breweri prefers moist soil, so make sure to water it regularly. However, be careful not to overwater the plant, as this can cause root rot.- Fertilization: You can fertilize your Clarkia breweri plant with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.- Soil: This plant prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. If your soil is heavy, you may need to amend it with sand or perlite to improve drainage.- Sunlight: Clarkia breweri prefers full sun but can also tolerate partial shade.- Hardiness Zones: This plant is hardy in USDA zones 7-10.
Common Pests & Diseases
Clarkia breweri is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, it can occasionally be affected by aphids, spider mites, and powdery mildew. If you notice any of these problems, you can treat them with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Habitat
Clarkia breweri is native to California and can be found in dry, open areas such as meadows, grasslands, and chaparral. It prefers well-draining soil and can tolerate hot, dry summers and mild winters.
Question and Answer
Q: How often should I water my Clarkia breweri plant?
A: Clarkia breweri prefers moist soil, so you should water it regularly. However, be careful not to overwater the plant, as this can cause root rot.
Q: What is the best fertilizer for Clarkia breweri?
A: You can fertilize your Clarkia breweri plant with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Q: What are some common pests and diseases that affect Clarkia breweri?
A: Clarkia breweri is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, it can occasionally be affected by aphids, spider mites, and powdery mildew.
Q: What is the hardiness zone for Clarkia breweri?
A: This plant is hardy in USDA zones 7-10.
Related Plants
– Clarkia amoena- Clarkia concinna- Clarkia cylindrica- Clarkia elegans- Clarkia pulchella
References
– “Clarkia breweri.” USDA Plants Database. https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=CLBR- “Clarkia breweri.” Las Pilitas Nursery. https://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/366–clarkia-breweri- “Brewer’s Clarkia.” California Native Plant Society. https://www.cnps.org/gardening/gardening-resources/gardening-articles/brewers-clarkia
