Gilia tricolor - Bird's Eyes

Have you grown our CA native "Bird's Eyes" yet? Oh, but you must! Much visited by bees, they are so easy and exude the sweetness of Spring thru their flowers, form and lovely chocolate scent! Extremely floriferous, you'll get hundreds of these entrancing, 1/2" light blue or violet flowers, set off by powder-blue stamen and a yellow throat with a dark purple ring at the top. Blooms on bushy, ferny upright stems. Highly rewarding, this neglect-tolerant heart stealer looks great in any type of garden, self-sows and makes great old-fashioned bouquets. Magical with roses! Grows to 24" x 18."

Bring a cheerful, cottage-garden vibe to beds, borders, and containers with Gilia tricolor Felicitas, a charming California native commonly known as bird's eyes gilia that rewards gardeners with clouds of pastel blooms and busy pollinator activity all season.

Compact and branching, plants form tidy mounds topped with hundreds of dainty flowers in lavender-blue, violet, and creamy white, each accented by a striking dark eye and soft yellow throat for irresistible, close-up appeal.

This easy annual thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, showing excellent drought tolerance once established and flourishing in poor or sandy sites where fussier ornamentals struggle. Sow directly after the last frost or start indoors for an earlier show; seedlings transplant readily and quickly fill gaps with airy texture that complements poppies, calendula, and other wildflower mix favorites.

Felicitas is notably pollinator-friendly, drawing bees, hoverflies, and butterflies, and it makes a lovely cut flower for informal bouquets when harvested in the cool morning. Expect a generous bloom window from late spring into summer with successive sowings, minimal feeding, and occasional deadheading to extend color. Low-maintenance and adaptable, Gilia tricolor is a natural choice for wildlife gardens, water-wise landscapes, and beginner growers seeking reliable color with very little effort.