Hi,
I wonder why no one has responded? Well anyway, I wintersowed them last year, and then transplanted them into the garden. They did just fine being transplanted. I'm not sure how good of a germination rate I had. I know they were not containers where it seemed every seed sprouted, but they weren't the dissappointing containers group either.
Remy

I purch from Valueseeds, don't remember the germ rate, but planted out about 6 plants...they didn't do so hot until just recently when the weather got cooler. Thinking they may be one of those "mountain" dwellers? Dunno...haven't done much homework on them, but I wasn't impressed here in Z5.

Hmmm, thanks for the feedback! I've never grown these myself, not sure what to expect. Sounds like maybe I shouldn't depend on them too much? Did you like or dislike their overall appearance? Summers here are fairly mild... not sweltering... hopefully it will suit them.

Hi again,
I really liked like them. I even saved seeds. They did very well until August when it does stay consistantly hot and gets drier. I think they would do very well in the UK.
This is the only pic I have of a few of them, and it is not that great. Hopefully you can get an idea of how good they did look being the pic is from July.
{{gwi:25096}}
Remy

Remy's look great under there peeking out. Mine were pitiful. Although I planted them closer than recommended, they still were little 'sticks' with sparse flowers when they finally DID do something.
Of course, mine were in full sun, too, and even though I'm in Z5 (I guess that's similar to a UK8?), it looks like I should have planted them in dappled shade based on what Remy's look like.

clarkia elegans are native out here in CA and are very sensitive to transplanting. they like our clay soils and moisture.

i have to admit i prefer clarkia anemone, so i havent't grown elegans, but have had good results just winter sowing clarkia on the soil surface.

I wintersowed mine one time. I say one time because they self-sow nicely in my yard.
They transplant very well if done in the 2nd-3rd true leaf stage or even smaller. Now if I need to I even dig up and move them around in the garden :D

Vera