Collomia grandiflora
grand collomia
SunFull Sun – Part Shade
Overview
Collomia grandiflora is an erect annual herb growing 6-40 in (15-100 cm) tall, usually on a single stem that branches only near the top. The leaves are alternate, lance-shaped to linear, 0.8-2.4 in (2-6 cm) long, and gray-green, becoming smaller upward. Stems and foliage are finely glandular-hairy. The flowers gather in dense, leafy-bracted clusters at the stem tips and in the upper leaf axils. Each is a slender trumpet 0.8-1.2 in (2-3 cm) long, opening to five rounded lobes in shades of salmon, apricot, peach, or pale cream-yellow. The anthers carry blue to blue-gray pollen that contrasts with the warm-toned petals. Flowering runs from May to July, after which the plant sets capsules of mucilaginous seed that turns sticky when wet. It germinates in spring, flowers, and dies within one growing season. The species grows on dry, open slopes, in light woodland, and on disturbed roadsides from low elevations into the mountains. As a one-season annual, it leaves no structure over winter and depends entirely on reseeding to return.
Native Range
Native to western North America, from British Columbia south to California and east to Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. It grows in open coniferous woodland, dry slopes, and disturbed ground from sea level to about 7,500 ft (2,300 m).Suggested Uses
Grown in native, wildflower, and pollinator plantings for early-summer color in dry gardens. Direct-sown in meadows and naturalized borders, it self-seeds to maintain a stand once established.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 3'4"
Width/Spread4" - 10"
Colors
Foliage Colors
Bloom Information
Blooms from May to July, with clusters opening a few flowers at a time over several weeks. Flower color ranges from salmon and apricot through peach to pale yellow, sometimes varying within one population. Bees and other insects visit for nectar and the blue pollen.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
salmon to apricot or creamFoliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to light shade on dry, well-drained sandy or rocky soil with a pH around 6.0 to 7.5. It needs no summer irrigation and germinates on natural spring moisture. Poor and disturbed soil is tolerated, while rich ground produces taller, lax stems. The seed is mucilaginous and adheres to soil when sown, aiding establishment. Sowing in fall or early spring follows the natural germination cycle. No frost protection applies, as the plant completes growth before the first hard freeze.Pruning
No pruning is needed for this annual. Spent stems are removed at the end of the season once seed has dropped. Leaving some seed heads in place allows the plant to self-sow for the following year.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons
⚠️ Toxicity Warning
UnknownPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Direct Sow Timing
fall or early spring
Days to Maturity
60–100 days
Plant Spacing
8 inches