Gilia capitata (blue thimble flower)

Japanese name: ギリア カピタタ
Scientific name: Gilia capitata

[Overview]
An annual 15–60 cm tall, found in its native range in sandy or rocky places.
The stem branches in the upper part, and some plants have glandular hairs or hairs.
The leaves are 4–10 cm long and deeply divided two to three times in a pinnate manner, with linear lobes.
The leaves in the upper part of the stem become smaller.
Long flower stalks extend from the stem tips and leaf axils, bearing globular inflorescences 2–5 cm across, in which 25–100 blue-purple flowers bloom.
The corolla is 5-lobed.
There are 5 stamens, which protrude out of the flower.
The fruit is a capsule.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, rather dry, lean soil.
If the conditions suit it, it also multiplies well from self-sown seed.
Take care not to overwater. For potted plants, water thoroughly after the soil has dried; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
It is also best to go easy on fertilizer, and if a small amount of base fertilizer is applied, nothing more is needed.
When the plant grows tall, it is good to set up a support.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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