Bird's Eyes Flowers – Gilia Tricolor (Gilia tricolor) Seeds

Grow Bird's Eyes Flowers, also known as Gilia tricolor, a charming annual wildflower prized for its delicate, three-colored blooms. The small flowers feature a distinctive dark center surrounded by colorful petals and are held above finely divided, airy foliage. This easy-to-grow wildflower is an excellent choice for meadows, wildflower gardens, borders, rock gardens, containers, and pollinator-friendly landscapes.

Key Details

• Botanical Name: Gilia tricolor
• Common Name: Bird's Eyes, Bird's Eyes Gilia
• Type: Annual Wildflower
• Days to Maturity: Approximately 60–90 days
• USDA Growing Zones: 3–10 as an annual
• Growth Habit: Upright, branching
• Flower Color: White, lavender, blue, and purple tones with contrasting dark centers
• Flower Size: Approximately 1/2 inch across
• Plant Height: 12–24 inches
• Plant Width: 6–12 inches
• Bloom Time: Spring through early summer
• Frost Tolerance: Moderately frost tolerant; young seedlings can tolerate light frost
• Drought Tolerance: Drought tolerant once established

Features

• Delicate, colorful three-toned flowers
• Excellent wildflower for naturalized plantings
• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
• Well suited to rock gardens and dry landscapes
• Performs well in sandy or well-draining soils
• Low-maintenance once established
• Can readily reseed under suitable conditions

Growing Information

• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-draining, moderately fertile, sandy or loamy soil
• Soil pH: Approximately 6.0–7.5
• Seed Depth: Surface sow or press lightly into the soil; do not cover deeply
• Plant Spacing: 6–12 inches
• Row Spacing: 12–18 inches
• Germination: Approximately 7–21 days
• Optimal Germination Temperature: 60–70°F
• Water: Keep soil lightly moist during germination; reduce watering once established

Direct sow seeds outdoors in early spring or in fall in areas with suitable winters. Scatter the seeds over prepared soil and gently press them into the surface rather than burying them deeply. Keep the soil lightly moist until seedlings become established.

Gilia tricolor prefers well-draining soil and does not require rich growing conditions. Avoid excessive watering or poorly drained areas, particularly once plants are established.

Plant Care & Blooming

Water seedlings occasionally while they establish. Mature plants are relatively drought tolerant and generally need supplemental water only during prolonged dry periods.

The delicate flowers appear above the foliage during the cooler portion of the growing season. Deadheading is optional; allowing some flowers to mature can encourage the plant to reseed naturally for future displays.

Note: Bird's Eyes Gilia is an annual wildflower that thrives in well-drained conditions and is especially well suited to naturalized, dry, and low-water garden settings.