INDIAN PAINTBRUSH Castilleja coccinea
When we first saw this plant, we couldn't believe that it is hardy here in our cold climate in Canada too! Probably one of the most loved wildflowers in the US, Indian Paintbrush can be grown in much of North America, and is extremely tolerant of poor soils and drought. Absolutely gorgeous orange-red flowers adorn this hardy perennial! A very valuable plant for adding color, and easy to care for too! Indian Paintbrush is host to several different species of butterflies.
Type: Perennial
Height: 24"
Location: Sun
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Bloom time: Summer
Seeds per pack: 20
USA restriction: These seeds cannot be shipped to the USA.
Germination: As with many perennials, these seeds can benefit from a period of moist cold to help them break dormancy. This is done by giving them a cold 'winter' period (artificial or natural), and then a warming to simulate 'spring', and time to grow! Here's how this can be done:
Obtain a planting container that has holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Place the seeds just under the surface of your growing medium, and water. Place your container in a cold area (but not freezing, perhaps a refrigerator) for 5-6 weeks. Once the cold period is completed, place the container at room temperature for them to germinate. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period. Your seeds should appear a few weeks after bringing them into warmth.
Alternatively, these seeds can also be planted outdoors in late winter or early spring, while temperatures are still cold (but ground is workable) to germinate naturally in spring. Be sure to mark the area where you planted them, and that the soil is consistently moist.
