Gila Tricolor Bird's Eye. (1000) Seeds. Free Shipping!
Lavender and white with golden throats, these charming little blooms are bound to delight. Bird's Eyes are indigenous to California but can also thrive as an annual in more extreme climates. Their delightful chocolate-like fragrance is a draw for hummingbirds.
The Gilia genus primarily consists of plants that thrive in desert environments, native to regions from the western United States down to South America. Spanish botanists Hipolito Ruiz and Jose Antonio Pavon discovered the first known Gilia species during their expedition to South America, later documenting it along with other species in a 1794 publication of their findings from Peru and Chile. They named this family of flowers Gilia in tribute to Filippo Luigi Gilii (1756-1821), an Italian naturalist they held in high regard for his studies of South American native flora at the Vatican Observatory.
Common Names: Bird's Eyes Gilia
Latin Name: Gilia tricolor
Species Origin: Native Wildflower of the US
Type: Native Wildflowers
Life Cycle: Annual
USDA Zones: 1 through 12
US Regions: California, Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast
Stratification: No Stratification Required
Germination Ease: No Stratification Needed
Sunlight: Prefers Full Sun
Height: Reaches 16 Inches
Color: White, Lavendar and Pink
Bloom Season: Flowers in Late Spring and Early Summer
Sowing: Plant directly in late fall, just beneath the surface. For spring planting, combine the seeds with damp sand and refrigerate for 30 days before direct sowing. To initiate indoors, sow Bird's Eye seeds in a flat or individual peat pots 6-8 weeks prior to the last frost; maintain lightly moist soil at a temperature of 70 degrees F until germination, which typically occurs within two weeks. Once the weather warms and the seedlings are well established, transplant them outdoors.
Growing: Ensure the soil remains moist as the seedlings grow, which will initially be a slow process. Mature plants are drought-tolerant and thrive in hot, dry conditions; avoid overwatering to prevent disease. This plant is well-suited to rocky or sandy soil. It will self-sow and is highly attractive to butterflies and bees.
Harvesting: To enjoy fresh flowers, cut long stems of flowers that have just opened and place them in water right away; remove any leaves that will be submerged.
Seed Saving: After flowering, the blooms will turn into dry capsules that open to reveal several brown seeds; either cut the ripened heads or gently shake the entire plant over a container to collect the Gilia Tricolor seeds. Store the cleaned Bird's Eye seeds in a cool, dry location.
