As soon as the temperatures rise again in early summer, the flowers of Godetia grandiflora peak. The plant has been reclassified into the Clarkia genus, a name that refers to the expedition leader of the Corps of Discovery, William Clark, who saw it grow in the alpine grasslands of the Pacific Northwest and California.
Also known as the satin flower, the godetias consist of up to 25 species[1] of flowering plants. The showy 2.8 to 4.8 inch/7 to 12 cm cup-shaped flowers of Godetia are similar to those of the Oenothera (evening primrose). However, unlike Oenothera, these silky, satiny flowers remain open throughout.
The flowers tend to cluster on stems 30 to 60 cm (12-24inch) long. Some larger species reach 3.34 ft (1 meter). In most species, the long, narrow, spiky buds split near the top one-third of the stem and split upward to form a short spine with numerous flowers fluttering at the tip.
These come in many bright shapes and shades, from delicate pastels and sheer satin white to eye-catching two- and three-tone combinations of sparkling apricot, mauve, lavender, carmine, red, purple, pink, orange petalled blooms, in single forms, smooth double, ruffled, and double.
