Gilia tricolor
birds eyes
A bushy annual forming a low mound of finely divided green leaves. Saucer-shaped, pale violet flowers, with yellow throats circled with dark purple markings, are borne singly or in small clusters on slender upright stems in late spring, and sometimes again in summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Purple | |||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Polemoniaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Gilia can be annuals or perennials, with simple or finely, pinnately divided leaves and salver-shaped or tubular, blue, pink or red flowers that may be solitary, in panicles or dense clusters
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in-situ in mid-spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Prairie planting
- Wildflower meadow
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back after flowering if seed is not required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.