Grow Chinese Houses from fresh Collinsia heterophylla wildflower seeds. Chinese Houses is a beautiful wildflower, producing 1 to 2 inch blooms up its slender stems. Each set of blooms form into an umbrella formation. The petals facing down are usually purple while the petals that face upwards are a white, or light pinkish color. The plants themselves grow to a mature height of roughly 12 to 24 inches tall and can spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Chinese Houses is grown as an annual flowering plant, meaning that it will grow for a single season. It grows quickly, blooms profusely, then later dies with the first frost. Chinese houses is an excellent choice for attracting the Checkerspot butterfly. It can also attract an array of other beneficial insects such as bumblebees, ladybugs and hummingbirds as well. This self seeder is best sown in flower beds and borders. They look great along driveways, along fences & as a background plant in a natural setting.
Quick Facts
- Type: Flower
- Color: Purple
- Height: 12″ – 24″ Tall
- Width: 12″ – 18″ Spread
- Season: Annual
- Zones: 3 to 10
- Environment: Full sun / partial shade
- Uses: Flower beds, along walkways, borders or driveways. Attracts beneficial insects.
Sowing The Seed
Chinese Houses are best sown directly outdoors when the weather is warm and all danger of frost has passed. Start by removing all unwanted plant life and weeds from your sowing area. Next, scatter your wildflower seed to the surface of the soil, lightly pressing the seeds into place. These require light to germinate successfully, so its best not to cover the Chinese Houses seed.
Growing Conditions
Chinese Houses will prefer an area of full sunlight to partial shade, with temperatures of 65F to 75F. The soil should be rich with organic matter, but also well drained. To increase drainage, we recommend adding a light compost to areas containing hard, compact soil. Water the soil daily so that it is moist, just avoid overwatering or soaking.
Germination & Growth
You will begin to see growth from your Chinese Houses within 7 to 14 days after sowing. When mature, the plants can grow anywhere between 12 to 24 inches tall and up to 18 inches wide. They can be spaced roughly 12 inches apart from one another and are best sown in groups of 2 or 3 for a single plant. Chinese Houses display beautiful bi-colored blooms through the spring and early summer months. They will attract an array of butterflies and other beneficial insects.