Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring) in Zone 8a & 8b
Clarkia unguiculata
When to plant clarkia (farewell-to-spring) in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring) tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Feb 25–Mar 4 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 4–Mar 11 |
| Estimated bloom | May 18–May 25 (~75 days after planting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-3 ft.

Clarkia, also called mountain garland or farewell-to-spring, is a silky-petaled cut flower with a genuine cool-weather requirement: too much heat after germination produces weak, spindly stems instead of the sturdy ones a good cut flower needs.
How clarkia (farewell-to-spring) fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring) needs about 75 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring).
Where to buy clarkia seeds
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing clarkia (farewell-to-spring)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Clarkia (Farewell-to-Spring) in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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