Godetia
Planting Instructions
🌸 Overview of Clarkia amoena (Farewell-to-Spring / Godetia)
Native Range: Western USA, especially coastal California and Pacific Northwest
Life Cycle: Cool-season annual
Height: 12–30 inches
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Pollinator-friendly: Attracts bees and butterflies
Landscape use: Great for wildflower gardens, borders, and cut flowers
🌱 Sowing Options
1️⃣ Direct Sowing Outdoors
Best Time to Sow:
Fall: Ideal in mild winter areas (zones 7+); allows plants to overwinter and bloom earlier.
Early Spring: In colder regions after last frost or as soon as soil is workable.
Site Selection:
Sunlight: Full sun to light partial shade (at least 6 hours of direct sun daily for best flowering).
Soil: Prefers light, well-drained soils — sandy or loamy ideal.
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)
Soil Preparation:
Loosen soil to 4–6 inches deep.
Remove weeds and debris.
Avoid overly rich soils or excessive compost—this can promote excessive foliage at the expense of blooms.
Planting Depth:
Surface sow or press into soil lightly.
Do not bury deeply — light aids germination.
If covering, use a dusting of fine soil (~1/16 inch max).
Watering:
Water lightly and regularly after sowing to keep soil moist (not soggy).
Once seedlings are established, water only during dry periods—Clarkia is relatively drought-tolerant.
Stratification:
Not required, but in hotter zones (8+), fall sowing helps mimic natural cold exposure and improves bloom timing.
Scarification:
Not necessary.
2️⃣ Starting Seeds Indoors (Spring Transplanting)
When to Start:
6–8 weeks before last frost date.
Growing Setup:
Use trays or pots with well-draining seed-starting mix.
Surface sow or press gently into soil without burying.
Provide bright light (sunny window or grow lights) for 12–16 hours/day.
Watering Indoors:
Mist or bottom-water to keep soil evenly moist.
Germination usually occurs in 7–14 days.
Transplanting Outdoors:
Harden off for 7–10 days before transplanting.
Transplant after last frost into full sun, spaced 6–10 inches apart.
Be gentle—Clarkia dislikes root disturbance, so use biodegradable pots if possible or transplant very young seedlings.
🔧 Maintenance Tips
Minimal care required once established.
No fertilizer needed; rich soil may reduce bloom.
Water occasionally in dry spells.
Deadheading optional — improves appearance and may extend blooming.
May self-seed modestly if seedheads are left in place.
Can be grown in containers or borders.
🚫 Invasiveness
Not considered invasive.
May reseed modestly in garden beds but does not aggressively spread or displace native plants.
