Queen Anne's Thimbles (Gilia Capitata) - Gilia seeds are easy to grow and this annual establishes quickly and blooms heavily. Gilia Capitata is robust native to much of California, forming a bushy multi-branching annual to 28 inches tall by 12 inches across with dense, ferny, almost lacy, rich green foliage. In addition to the common name Queen Anne's Thimbles, it is called Globe Gilia and Blue Thimble Flower. Throughout spring and early summer, it bears scented, violet blue rounded flowers that are loved by butterflies, bees, and more! The Gilia flower looks a bit like a pincushion with pins sticking in it. Maybe the appearance inspired the common names. Blue Thimble Flower is very drought tolerant and perfect for roadside plantings, the flower garden, meadows, or containers.

For the earliest blooms, start the Gilia Capitata seed indoors 4 - 8 weeks before the last expected frost. Transplant the Globe Gilia seedlings outside when frost danger has passed in a sunny location. For areas with a long growing season, the Queen Anne's Thimbles seeds can be started in a prepared seedbed. Sow the flower seeds on the surface, pressing them firmly into the soil. When the Gilia seedlings are 1 - 2 inches in height, thin to strongest plant 8 - 12 inches apart and replant the thinned seedlings. Globe Gilia plants prefer sunny, hot, dry conditions and do not require much water.