Splendid gilia is an annual wildflower native to California that grows 1-3 feet tall. It has thin, leafless stems holding pale to medium pink flowers with yellow and purple blotches that bloom from May to July. Splendid gilia is well-suited for natural plantings, containers, woodland or cottage gardens where it provides colorful spring blooms and habitat for pollinators and birds. The plant needs full sun to part shade and adequate water in winter and spring.

1. Splendid gilia – Saltugilia (Gilia) splendens (saul-too-JEE-lee-uh SPLEN-dens)
Family: Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)
Native to: Endemic to California’s South Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges and the San Jacinto
Mountains from Los Angeles to Monterrey Co. Locally in Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mtns.;
openings in brush or woods, chaparral, foothill woodland, yellow pine forest.
Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.
Branching, upright annual wildflower with thin, mostly leafless stems. Bottom leaves larger, fern-
like, in basal rosette. Foliage is hairy and glandular. Over-all effect is quite open.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in late spring – usually May-July. Flowers in open clusters of 8-12 flowers.
Flower shape varies from bell-shaped to trumpet-shaped. Flowers are very attractive, pale to
medium pink with blotches of yellow and purple. Blue-tipped anthers. Old-fashioned charmer.
Uses in the garden: Often used in natural plantings with native grasses, wildflowers and shrubs.
Very attractive massed. Good choice for containers. Attracts native pollinators, birds. Provides
lovely color accent in spring. Nice in woodland or cottage gardens.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native spring flowering perennials.
Attracts: Excellent pollinator & bird habitat: provides nectar, cover and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Any local; any local pH.
Water Needs adequate winter/spring water. Taper off water as flowering wanes.
Fertilizer None needed; refresh soil if grown in containers.
Other No mulch or gravel.
Management: Allow seeds to ripen on dry plants; sprinkle seeds to re-seed or save in cool dry
place. Remove dead stalks and use for mulch.
Propagation: from seed: moderately easy with fresh seed; germination may take up to 6 weeks.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 19, 46 1/3/17
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