Meet a rare, sun-loving wildflower that wears its own cobwebs.
The Crystal Springs Lessingia is a rare annual herb that naturally grows in the serpentine soils of the San Francisco Bay Area. In an outdoor garden, this low-growing wildflower reaches heights between 0.1 and 0.4 meters. It fits beautifully in sunny spots alongside companion plants like California poppies and serpentine grasses.
Growing this plant is a rewarding challenge, as it requires a difficult level of care to thrive. It grows quickly from seed and needs very little water, making it highly drought-tolerant. Because it is an annual, it will complete its entire life cycle from seed to flower in a single year.
In the late summer and autumn, this plant produces small, beautiful lavender flower heads that attract bees and butterflies. Its stems are covered in unique, cobweb-like hairs that give the plant a fascinating texture. It is a wonderful choice for patient gardeners who want to support local pollinators with a rare native species.