General Culture: Click for monthly care information.
Cool weather annual. It is easily grown in average, moderately fertile, well-drained soils in full sun. Plants appreciate some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Plants also appreciate good air circulation. Start seed indoors in pots 6-8 weeks before last frost date or sow directly in the garden as soon as the ground can be worked. Plants often perform poorly in hot and humid summer weather, and will produce best bloom prior to the onset of peak summer heat. Plants may not last the growing season in hot St. Louis summers. Plants may reseed in the garden in optimum growing conditions.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Native from British Columbia to central California, satin flower is a popular cool weather annual that is grown in beds and borders for its satiny, cup-shaped flowers whose petals have the texture of crepe paper. Flowers typically bloom from late spring to early/mid summer as announced by this plant’s additional common name of farewell-to-spring. Plants grow to 30” tall on erect to lax stems clad with lanceolate leaves (to 2.5” long). Four-petaled flowers (2-3” diameter) are red to pink to lavender often with a blotch or spot at the base of each petal. Cultivars come in both single and double form. Synonymous with and formerly known as Godetia amoena. Genus name honors Capt.William Clark of the early 19th century Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, stem rot and leaf spot. Watch for aphids and mites.
Uses:
Beds, borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens or pots/containers.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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