Gilia Species, Bluebowls, Blue Gilia

Blue gilia (Gilia rigidula) can be found natively growing in Texas and New Mexico in dry sandy, rocky limestone or chalky soils of plains...Read More, prairies, brushlands, slopes or evergreen wooded environs. The blooms are about 3/4 of an inch wide. However , they standout well because of their color. It has a stout, woody base. The stems are very small, slender and weak. It has a taproot, so it is difficult to dig up and replant without it being injured. I have tried to save 2 of them from construction bulldozers and both have died. It is considered to be rare. It is a very low growing groundcover and makes an excellent plant to use in a rock garden, wildscape or xeriscape. It also can be used in an area that needs erosion control.

Update; 5/24/07
I a very happy to report that it appears that I have been able to save 2 very small plants from destruction. They are still blooming at the end of May. This may be due to the extremely cool and wet spring.