Five-Spots Seeds (Heirloom)

The five-spot flower is native to California, Oregon, and Utah, but it has swiftly spread across the country. They are a low-growing borage family member that is commonly used in rock gardens, beds and borders, containers, hanging baskets, and garden edging. Grow your own heirloom five-spot flowers to see these stunning blossoms up close and to enjoy the numerous pollinators they attract from spring through summer.

Sow your heirloom five-spot seeds directly into your garden or in containers once all dangers of frost have gone. Temperatures between 55 and 65°F are ideal for five-spot. Start your seeds six to eight weeks before the last spring frost if you live in a zone colder than zone 7. Although heirloom five-spot may thrive in full sun, it prefers partial shade in hotter climates because it is not drought tolerant. Use soil that has been loosened and is weed-free. The pH of the soil should be between 6.5 and 7.5 for five-spot.

While cold stratification isn't essential before planting your five-spot seeds, if you want more uniform results, stratify for two months or germinate the seeds in colder temps for the first three days.

Because heirloom five-spot seeds need sunshine to grow, sow them on the soil's surface without covering them. Apart from maintaining your seed bed weed-free, five-spots require little to no maintenance after they've established themselves. Within seven to thirty days of planting your seeds, they will reach a height of six to twelve inches. Additionally, aphids and powdery mildew are the only pests or diseases that can harm five-spot blooms. If fresh seeds fall onto bare ground, five-spot will die off with the first killing frost and reappear year after year in the same area.

Baby blue eyes, California poppy, clarkia, Chinese houses, penstemon, and most other annual or herbaceous perennial wildflowers are all good companion plants for heirloom five-spot!

For more information about planting, growing, and caring for heirloom five-spot flower seed, see the Five-spot Seeds Planting Guide.