Rosy Cheek to Cheek Clarkia is a charming cultivar of Clarkia elegans that brings cottage garden elegance to spring and summer borders. Growing 24 to 36 inches tall with a compact 12-inch spread, this flower thrives in full sun across hardiness zones 6 to 10 and requires minimal water once established. From seed to bloom takes about 84 days, rewarding gardeners with flowers from March through August. Deer leave it alone, and pollinators flock to it, making it both a low-maintenance choice and a magnet for beneficial insects.
Full Sun
Low
6-10
36in H x 12in W
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High
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This rosy-cheeked beauty demands almost nothing from gardeners once planted. It germinates quickly at 65°F, tolerates poor soil conditions that would defeat other annuals, and thrives on neglect rather than fussy watering schedules. The compact upright form fits neatly into small spaces, containers, and cottage gardens without sprawling or requiring constant deadheading to maintain its shape.
Rosy Cheek to Cheek Clarkia shines as a cut flower with surprising longevity once harvested, making it valuable for bouquets and fresh arrangements. It works equally well in garden borders, cottage plantings, and small space gardens where its restrained height and width won't overwhelm neighboring plants. The compact form and deer resistance also make it a smart choice for wildlife gardens where you want color without feeding the local browse.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, pressing seeds lightly into the soil surface without covering them deeply. Keep soil at 65°F for germination. Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off, setting them out in spring when frost danger has passed.
Transplant seedlings outdoors 4 to 6 weeks after indoor sowing, once they have been hardened off gradually to outdoor conditions. Space plants 8 inches apart. Soil temperature should be at least 65°F at planting time.
Direct sow outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 65°F. In mild winter areas (zones 8-10), you can also direct sow in fall. Press seeds lightly into the soil surface; barely cover them.
Cut stems for arrangements when flowers are just opening, in the early morning when stems are fully hydrated. This encourages longer vase life and promotes continued blooming on remaining plants.
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