California Native Annual Wildflower
Bird's Eye Gilia
Gilia tricolor
A delicate California native annual with intricately colored lavender-white flowers, dark purple rings and bright yellow throats
Bird's Eye Gilia is a distinctive California native annual known for its finely divided foliage and unusually detailed flowers. Pale blue, lavender or nearly white petals surround a dark purple ring and contrasting yellow throat, creating the characteristic "bird's eye" appearance. Its fine texture, spring flowering and California origin make it an excellent component of native wildflower, pollinator and naturalized plantings.
Wildflower Characteristics
Why Plant Bird's Eye Gilia?
Bird's Eye Gilia combines genuine California native value with intricate flowers, fine-textured foliage and strong compatibility with diverse native plantings.
California Endemic
Gilia tricolor occurs naturally only in California, making it particularly well suited to California-focused native wildflower plantings.
Distinctive Three Colors
Pale blue to violet petals, a dark purple ring and yellow throat create the characteristic tricolor flower pattern.
Pollinator Interest
Spring flowers provide floral resources for bees, butterflies and other visiting beneficial insects.
Fine Foliage
Finely divided green leaves create an airy texture that blends naturally among other annual wildflowers.
Where It Fits
Best Uses for Bird's Eye Gilia
Bird's Eye Gilia is especially useful where a delicate California native annual is desired to add fine texture, subtle color and spring flowering.
Establishment & Management
Growing Bird's Eye Gilia
Bird's Eye Gilia follows California's cool-season annual growth cycle and establishes readily from seed under suitable fall and winter moisture conditions.
California Planting Window
Fall sowing is well suited to many mild-winter California locations, allowing seasonal rainfall to support establishment ahead of spring flowering.
Planting
Sow shallowly into a prepared seedbed with good seed-to-soil contact. Avoid deeply covering the small seed.
Sunlight
Full sun is preferred for strong flowering, although Bird's Eye Gilia can also perform with some partial shade.
Natural Reseeding
Allow plants to complete flowering and mature seed where natural reseeding is desired. Mowing before seed maturity will reduce future volunteer stands.
California Endemic
Three Colors Give Bird's Eye Gilia Its Name
The flowers of Gilia tricolor are unusually intricate for such a small annual wildflower. Pale blue to violet outer petals surround a dark purple ring and bright yellow throat. Together, these contrasting colors create the recognizable "bird's eye" pattern and explain the species name tricolor.
Looking for Bird's Eye Gilia Seed?
Contact Weaver Seed for current availability, quantities, packaging or help incorporating Bird's Eye Gilia into a California native, pollinator or custom wildflower mixture.
Contact Weaver Seed