The Candy Flower plant, an easy-to-grow annual or perennial, adds color and an airy feel to gardens. Its adaptable nature allows it to flourish in various environments, creating a vibrant display throughout the growing season.
Understanding the Candy Flower Plant
The common name “Candy Flower” can refer to more than one plant species, primarily Clarkia amoena and Claytonia sibirica.
Clarkia amoena, also known as Farewell-to-Spring or Satin Flower, is an annual native to western North America. It grows as an upright herb, 1.5 to 3 feet tall. Its showy, cup-shaped flowers, 2 to 3 inches in diameter, have four petals in shades of pink, red, or lavender, often with a distinctive basal blotch.
Claytonia sibirica, also known as Pink Purslane or Siberian Miner’s Lettuce, is native to Siberia and western North America. This plant can be an annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial. It forms a rosette of fleshy leaves, growing 8 to 20 inches tall. Its smaller flowers, 8 to 20 millimeters across, have five white or pink petals, often with candy-like stripes. While Clarkia amoena is ornamental, Claytonia sibirica is also known for its edible leaves.
Cultivating Candy Flower Plants
Light
Clarkia amoena thrives in full sun to light shade, encouraging abundant flowering. In hotter climates, afternoon shade can prevent wilting. Claytonia sibirica prefers partial to full shade, found in moist, shaded woodlands. While it can tolerate full sun, a shadier spot maintains consistent soil moisture.
Soil
Clarkia amoena adapts to various soil types, including sandy loams, and tolerates clay and alkaline conditions with adequate drainage. It thrives in poor to moderately fertile soil. Claytonia sibirica prefers moist, humus-rich, often acidic soil, such as sandy forest soil. Good drainage prevents waterlogging, especially in winter.
Water
Consistent moisture benefits Candy Flower plants. Clarkia amoena prefers moderate watering and, once established, can tolerate some drought. Avoid overwatering to prevent root issues. Claytonia sibirica requires consistently moist conditions, found near streambanks or in damp woods.
Temperature and Climate
Clarkia amoena is a cool-weather annual thriving in temperate climates. It grows in USDA hardiness zones, completing its life cycle before intense summer heat. Claytonia sibirica is more cold-hardy, performing well in USDA zones 3 through 7, and can be annual or perennial depending on climate. Both plants prefer mild conditions and may struggle with prolonged extreme heat or humidity.
Feeding
Clarkia amoena performs well with minimal or no fertilization; excessive nutrients can lead to foliage growth at the expense of flowers. If soil fertility is very low, apply a balanced, low-strength fertilizer monthly during the growing season. Claytonia sibirica does not require supplemental feeding, especially in humus-rich soil.
Planting and Naturalizing
Plant Candy Flower seeds directly in the garden in early spring after the last frost, or in fall in milder climates. For Clarkia amoena, lightly cover seeds; germination takes 7 to 14 days. Space plants 6 to 12 inches apart for adequate growth. Claytonia sibirica seeds also benefit from direct sowing in spring or fall.
Both Clarkia amoena and Claytonia sibirica naturalize through self-seeding. Allowing spent flowers to remain enables self-seeding, creating a continuous display without annual replanting. They are excellent for wildflower meadows, woodland gardens, or areas desiring a naturalized appearance. Manage spread by deadheading before seeds mature if self-seeding is not desired.
Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Both Clarkia amoena and Claytonia sibirica resist most pests. However, Clarkia amoena can be susceptible to foot rot and stem rot in overly wet or poorly drained conditions. Proper soil drainage and avoiding overwatering prevent these issues.
Pruning is not strictly necessary, but deadheading spent Clarkia amoena flowers encourages a longer blooming period and a tidier appearance. For Claytonia sibirica, remove dead or damaged leaves to maintain health. Allowing some flowers to go to seed benefits naturalization if desired.