Globe Gilia

Globe Gilia is an annual herb native to much of the western USA, from Alaska to northern Mexico. Its globe-shaped heads of tiny light blue to blue-violet flowers appear from May to July. The plant is an erect annual with pincushion-like flower heads about 2 to 4 cm across in summer. It is an excellent plant for pollinators, drawing bees and butterflies to its nectar.

Sow the seed in place, where the plant is meant to grow, in mid-spring. It propagates easily from seed. The plant grows in a light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, and it prefers dry, rocky or sandy soils. Because it self-seeds, it can return on its own in naturalized areas and meadows, though it does not do well with a lot of competition. It can grow from 6 to 35 inches (15 to 89 cm) tall, and about 1 to 2 feet (30 to 61 cm) wide.

Water sparingly, because the plant should not be overwatered. Deadhead after blooming, and you may get repeat blooms. Cut back after flowering.

No serious problems are reported for this plant. It is generally pest-free and generally disease-free.