Gilia capitata subsp. chamissonis, commonly known as Bluehead Gilia, Chamisso’s Gilia, or Coastal Gilia, is a perennial herb that is native to the coastal regions of California and Oregon. It thrives in coastal prairie ecosystems, coastal scrub, and sandy beach environments. This species typically grows at a moderate rate to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) and a width of 0.5-1 feet (0.2-0.3 meters). It features a clumping form with erect stems and finely divided, feathery leaves. The flowers are a striking blue or violet, forming dense, spherical clusters at the stem tips, and are highly attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies during their blooming period in the spring and summer.

Bluehead Gilia is valued for its vibrant flower display and its ability to adapt to poor soils, making it an excellent choice for wildflower gardens, native plant landscapes, and coastal restoration projects. It is drought-tolerant, requiring minimal irrigation once established, which suits xeriscaping and low-water garden designs. While it prefers full sun, it can tolerate light shade. For best results, it should be planted in sandy or loamy soils with good drainage. It is not commonly affected by serious pests or diseases, but overwatering can lead to root rot.CC BY-SA 4.0