Collinsia heterophylla - Chinese Houses

Description

Unlike most of our native annuals which prefer full sun, Chinese Houses thrives in light shade. The purple and white blossoms can be seen around the Bay Area in mid-spring in meadows and under oaks. Beautiful in a mass, this plant will set abundant seed and come back year after year if left undisturbed. Can be cut down after flowering for a second flush of blossoms. The plants common name comes from the flared lower lip of the tiered blossoms, which, with a little imagination, is reminiscent of the shape of a pagoda.