Heirloom

Grace Salmon

Clarkia amoena

Photo: Michael Wolf · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Harvest

75-85d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Grace Salmon in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Grace Salmon · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorSalmon

Size1 1/2-3"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Succession Planting

Direct sow every 14–18 days starting April 1 through early May in zone 7, stopping once daytime highs are reliably above 80°F — Clarkia won't establish well in heat and will rush to seed. A February or March indoor sow gives you a first flush of bloom; follow that with one or two direct-sow rounds in early spring for a staggered display that carries from late April through June.

Don't bother with a fall succession in most zones. Clarkia amoena lacks the cold tolerance of a true hardy annual like larkspur (Consolida ajacis), which can overwinter as a seedling and bloom in spring. One well-timed spring run is what this plant is built for.

Complete Growing Guide

Each stem produces clusters of 1 1/2-3" wide, cup-shaped blooms. Sturdy stems and upward-facing bloom clusters work well as cut flowers. Bright, salmon-colored blooms add a cheerful and almost tropical vibe to mixed bouquets and arrangements. Supporting plants for straight stems is recommended. Also known as farewell-to-spring and satin flower. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Grace Salmon is 75 - 85 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed.

Harvesting

Grace Salmon reaches harvest at 75 - 85 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1 1/2-3" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Elongated, cylindrical pods, usually 4-grooved or 8-grooved, holding many tiny, cubical seeds.

Type: Capsule.

Storage & Preservation

Store cut Grace Salmon blooms in a cool location between 65-72°F with moderate humidity (50-65%). Keep stems in fresh, clean water and change water every 2-3 days. Refrigerate arrangements at night to extend vase life to 7-10 days. For preservation: air-dry by hanging bundles upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks; press individual blooms between parchment paper under weight for floral crafts; or freeze in silicone ice cube trays with water for decorative purposes.

History & Origin

Grace Salmon is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Western North America, Southern South America

Advantages

+Stunning salmon blooms create tropical, cheerful mixed bouquets instantly
+Sturdy stems and upward-facing clusters make exceptional, long-lasting cut flowers
+Easy to grow variety perfect for novice and experienced gardeners
+Produces abundant 1.5-3 inch cup-shaped blooms on each stem
+Grows quickly with 75-85 day maturity from seed to harvest

Considerations

-Requires plant support stakes to prevent stem sprawling or bending
-Prefers well-draining soil and struggles in heavy clay conditions
-Blooms fade quickly in extreme heat above 85 degrees

Companion Plants

Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, drawing aphids away from Clarkia's soft stems before they become your problem. Marigolds — specifically Tagetes patula — emit thiophenes from their roots that suppress soil nematodes nearby. Alyssum and catmint pull in parasitic wasps (Braconidae and Chalcididae families) that keep aphid pressure down over the season. Skip black walnut entirely: juglone leaches from roots and decomposing leaf litter far enough to stunt or kill Clarkia outright, and eucalyptus releases allelopathic compounds that interfere with germination of nearby annuals.

Plant Together

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover

Lavender

Repels pests with strong fragrance and attracts pollinators

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and provide visual contrast in flower beds

Zinnias

Attract butterflies and beneficial insects while providing color continuity

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting pollinators

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to many flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Can inhibit growth of smaller flowers through allelopathy and resource competition

Troubleshooting Grace Salmon

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings collapse at soil level, stems pinched-looking and dark at the base

Likely Causes

Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia spp.) — fungal pathogens that thrive in cold, wet, poorly drained soil
Overwatering or trays without drainage holes

What to Do

1.Ditch any affected seedlings immediately — they won't recover
2.Water only when the top half-inch of mix is dry, and always from below if using trays
3.Use a sterile seed-starting mix, not garden soil, and add a thin layer of perlite on top to keep the surface dry

Powdery white coating on leaves, usually showing up mid-summer when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe spp.) — spreads by airborne spores and favors humid nights with warm days
Crowded planting with poor airflow between plants

What to Do

1.Space plants at least 9–12 inches apart from the start — thinning late doesn't help much
2.Spray affected foliage with a diluted solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda per gallon of water with a few drops of dish soap
3.Pull and bag heavily infected plants at season's end rather than composting them

Leaves stippled with tiny pale dots, undersides showing fine webbing

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — worst in hot, dry stretches above 85°F
Dusty foliage conditions that discourage predatory mites like Phytoseiulus persimilis

What to Do

1.Hit the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water for 3–4 days running to knock populations back
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the evening to avoid burning foliage — repeat every 5–7 days
3.Keep plants consistently watered; drought-stressed Clarkia picks up mite infestations faster than healthy plants

Plants stop flowering and set seed aggressively by early summer, well before 85 days

Likely Causes

Heat-induced decline — Clarkia amoena is a cool-season annual that shuts down quickly once daytime highs stay above 80–85°F
Late direct sowing that pushes bloom time into peak summer heat

What to Do

1.Direct sow no later than early April in zone 7 (or equivalent) so bloom falls in the 65–75°F window
2.Deadhead spent flowers every 2–3 days to delay seed set and stretch bloom by a week or two
3.Pull it once it's done and replace with a heat-tolerant annual — Clarkia is a spring flower and doesn't pretend otherwise

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Grace Salmon cut flowers last in a vase?▼

Grace Salmon flowers typically last 7-10 days in fresh water when properly maintained. Change water every 2-3 days, remove lower foliage, and recut stems at an angle. Keeping them in a cool location (65-72°F) and away from ripening fruit and direct heat extends vase life significantly.

When should I plant Grace Salmon flowers?▼

Grace Salmon is an heirloom variety best sown directly after the last spring frost or started indoors 6-8 weeks before your final frost date. It thrives in cool seasons and may appreciate afternoon shade in hot climates. In mild regions, fall sowing is also an option for early spring blooms.

Is Grace Salmon a good choice for beginner flower growers?▼

Yes, Grace Salmon is excellent for beginners—it's rated as easy to grow. It requires minimal care, tolerates both full sun and partial shade, and produces abundant blooms. The sturdy stems support themselves well, though staking is recommended for the straightest cut flowers.

Can you grow Grace Salmon in containers?▼

Yes, Grace Salmon grows well in containers. Use well-draining potting soil and a pot at least 8-10 inches deep. Place in a location with 4-6+ hours of sunlight. Container-grown plants may need more frequent watering and occasional fertilizing to maintain vigorous bloom production throughout the season.

What does Grace Salmon look like in an arrangement?▼

Grace Salmon produces bright salmon-colored, cup-shaped blooms (1.5-3 inches wide) clustered along sturdy, upright stems. The vibrant hue adds a cheerful, almost tropical feel to mixed bouquets. Its reliable form and long vase life make it ideal for both casual and professional floral arrangements.

How tall do Grace Salmon plants grow?▼

Grace Salmon plants typically grow to a moderate height suitable for cutting gardens and borders. The sturdy, upward-facing stems support clusters of blooms well, making them ideal for cut flower use without excessive staking, though support is recommended for the straightest flower stems.