How to Grow Owl's Clover

Owl’s clover (Castilleja exserta) is a desert wildflower native to the southwestern United States. Its spring-blooming flowers attract bees and butterflies. Novice gardeners should be able to grow and maintain the plants, especially in their natural environment. Start owl’s clover from seed in the fall, and it will bloom the first spring. In general, approximately 1/2 ounce of seed covers 25 square feet of space.

Potting soil
Planting pots or tray
Sand
Seed spreader

Instructions

- 1
  Cultivate the soil in a location that receives at minimum of eight hours of sunlight a day. Till it to a depth approximately 2 to 4 inches deep. If the soil does not drain water well, mix in 1 to 2 inches of compost or peat moss.
- 2
  Mix one part owl’s clover seed with three to four parts sand or potting soil. This step makes evenly distributing the seeds easier.
- 3
  Spread the seeds and sand one handful at a time in even sweeping motions with your hands. You can also use a seed spreader.
- 4
  Rake the seeds lightly into the soil with the back of a leaf rake. Do not cover them entirely with soil because they need sunlight to germinate.
- 5
  Moisten the seeds with approximately 1/4 inch of water. Continue to keep the seeds and soil slightly moist the first two or three months. Then, water them once a month in the winter. Water them once a week in the spring, summer and fall during dry weather.

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