Bluehead Gilia / Blue Thimble Flower (Gilia capitata) seeds
- Annual wildflower with spherical pale blue to blue-violet flower heads - especially attractive to bees, bumblebees and butterflies.<ai>
- Approx. 1000 seeds of open-pollinated Bluehead Gilia / Blue Thimble Flower (Gilia capitata).
- Ideal for sunny, low-nutrient and well-drained beds, gravel areas and naturalistic plantings - also lovely as a cut flower.<ai>
€2.59
No longer available
Description
Spherical blue flower heads full of nectar
Bluehead Gilia (Gilia capitata), also known as Blue Gilia, is a delicate annual wildflower with striking spherical flower heads. Numerous small individual flowers are packed closely together to form pale blue to blue-violet heads, with the stamens projecting clearly beyond them. This creates the characteristic, almost pincushion-like appearance.
The slender, branched plants usually reach around 40 to 60 cm in height in the garden and carry finely divided, light to grey-green leaves. Bluehead Gilia looks especially attractive in loose groups among other summer and wildflowers, in gravel beds, rock gardens and sunny, low-nutrient borders. The unusual flower heads also work well as cut flowers in natural summer bouquets.
A wildflower from western North America
Gilia capitata is native to western North America and occurs from Alaska and British Columbia through the western United States to northern Mexico. In its native range, it grows in open, sunny habitats, on dry slopes, in coastal prairies, rocky areas and open woodland communities. The species name capitata means “headed” and refers to the densely packed, spherical flower heads.
The plant is especially valuable for pollinators. Its numerous small flowers provide nectar and pollen and are visited by wild bees, bumblebees, honeybees, butterflies and other insects. This makes Bluehead Gilia particularly suitable for naturalistic garden areas, pollinator plantings and loosely structured wildflower schemes.
Plant profile
| Plant type | Summer flower, Wildflower |
|---|---|
| Use | Cut flower, Good insect food plant, Ornamental plant |
| Lifecycle | Annual |
| Species | Polemoniaceae |
| Seed propagation | konventionell |
| Region of origin | North America |
| Characteristics | Drought tolerant, Food for bees, Needs light to germinate, Self-seeds |
| Eventual height | 40-80 cm |
| Flower colour | Blue, Lilac |
| Flowering months | August, July, June, September |
Growing instructions
| When to sow outdoors | April, June, May |
|---|---|
| Sowing depth | 0 cm |
| Germination temperature | 15-20°C |
| Germination time | 2-3 weeks |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Soil type | Free-draining, Moderate nutrient levels, Poor, well-loosened |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Water requirement | Medium, No waterlogging |
| Planting distance | 20 cm |
Sowing and care
Sowing and caring for Bluehead Gilia
Sowing is most reliable directly in the final growing position. From April to June, the seeds can be sown onto loose, well-drained soil. Bluehead Gilia needs light to germinate or should be sown very shallowly: press the seeds down lightly or cover them with no more than a very thin layer of soil. At around 15 to 20 °C, germination usually takes place within 8 to 20 days.
Pre-cultivation from April is also possible. As the plants can be sensitive to root disturbance, sowing in individual small pots or biodegradable propagation containers is recommended. Plant the young plants out as gently as possible afterwards. A planting distance of around 15 to 25 cm is sufficient.
A sunny, warm and open position with loose, rather low-nutrient to moderately fertile and well-drained soil is ideal. Waterlogging should be avoided. Once established, Bluehead Gilia also tolerates drier periods well, although it flowers more evenly if the soil does not dry out completely.
Depending on the sowing date, flowering lasts from around June to September. Cutting back after the first flush can encourage another flowering period. If you would like the plant to self-seed, allow some flower heads to mature; otherwise, faded heads can be removed in good time.
Other names
Botanical name: Gilia capitata
German: Kopfige Gilie, Kopfblütige Gilie, Nadelkissen-Gilie, Blaues Sperrkraut
English: Bluehead Gilia, Globe Gilia, Blue Thimble Flower, Blue Gilia, Blue Field Gilia, Blue-head Gily-flower
French: Gilie capitée
Italian: Gilia capitata, Gilia azzurra
Spanish: Gilia capitata, Gilia azul
Dutch: Hoofdjesgilia, Blauwhoofdige Gilia
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