butterfly flower
Clarkia unguiculata
RHS Plants for Pollinators
USDA zones2 to 10
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size1 to 3 feet tall12 inches wide
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- White , pink , purple
- Soil types
- Sand, loam
- Soil pH
- Acid
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Butterfly flower (Clarkia unguiculata) is an annual for borders, pollinator gardens, and containers. Cool weather suits it, and it can take a light frost. This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to moist, sandy or loamy soil. Its purple, rose, or whitish flowers bloom in small clusters and draw butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Do not thin seedlings, since crowding encourages blooming. It is not a favorite of deer, though hungry deer will eat almost anything.
Pairs well with Profusion Double Deep Salmon zinnia, Snowflake moss phlox, and Red fescue.
Native range
North America.