Clarkia amoena aka Godetia

Taxonomy

Clarkia amoena, also known as Farewell to Spring or Godetia, is a flowering plant native to western North America. It can be found in coastal hills and mountains, ranging from British Columbia to the San Francisco Bay Area. This annual plant grows up to 1 meter tall, with slender, linear leaves measuring 2-7 cm in length and 2-6 mm in width. The flowers of Clarkia amoena are pink to pale purple, featuring four broad petals that can be 1.5-6 cm long. Its fruit is a dry capsule that splits open to release numerous seeds when mature. There are three recognized subspecies, but intermediate forms are commonly observed. Farewell to Spring is often cultivated as a garden plant, and there are cultivated varieties available. It is an upright annual plant that typically reaches a height of 75 cm. It has lance-shaped leaves and produces leafy racemes of lilac or pink flowers, occasionally with a white center. These single or double flowers bloom during the summer, giving the plant its common name.

Common names

Godetia, Farewell To Spring, Satin Flower

How to care for Godetia

Difficulty

Godetia presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Godetia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Godetia loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Godetia thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Satin Flower.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Godetia to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Growth-pattern

Godetia grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.


More info:
Wikipedia