A garland flower is an annual wildflower that is commonly known as mountain garland and reaches heights of 2 feet (60 cm). Native to California, these small, thin-stemmed plants have been naturalized across North America and are actively cultivated across much of the United States, United Kingdom and Europe. The garland flower has thin, waxy, purple-hued stems, sparse leaf coverage and showy pale pink to purple flowers that tend to appear in clusters. The garland flower blooms throughout early summer until the first frosts.
The young seedlings should not be thinned, because large numbers of mountain garland plants growing in close proximity encourages a higher rate of flower production and provides a striking, showy floral display. This plant can be grown from seed by liberally sprinkling the seeds over moist, loose earth and gently pressing them onto the surface but not covering with any additional soil, which will greatly reduce the germination rate or prevent the seeds from germinating entirely. Garland flower is an open-pollinated, or insect-pollinated, plant and drops large numbers of tiny seeds when temperatures begin to fall and the flowers have died back. Seeds fall beneath and around the plant, where they will germinate, or are carried elsewhere on the fur or in the digestive tract of forest-dwelling animals. When the temperatures begin to rise the following spring, the seeds will begin to germinate.
Garland flower is most commonly found growing in harmony with other woodland wildflowers, such as royal larkspur and the mariposa lily. All of these species can thrive in forested areas, even growing where large, mature tree root systems are present. Garland flower is most frequently found growing in woodland and forested areas, often under large trees such as pine and oak. It is able to withstand partial shade and nutrient competition, and also can compete with weeds and grasses for space, which makes this plant useful as coverage in areas prone to invasive weeds and grass.
This species is able to tolerate a wide range of soils, but not heavy clay and waterlogged areas. Mountain garland can grow in full sun or partial shade and prefers nutrient-rich soil, which is why forests and woodlands provide excellent growing conditions. Leaves that fall from the trees rot down to a nutrient-rich mulch on the forest floor and leeches into the soil. The garland flower and other vegetation beneath the trees are then able to utilize these nutrients.