Castilleja scabrida
rough Indian paintbrush
A semi-parasitic herbaceous perennial up to 15cm high covered in rough, stiff hairs, and has green or purple stems, grey-green, narrow leaves, 5-8cm long, and small yellow-green tubular flowers with bright red bracts from spring to summer; the usual host plants include Penstemons, and although Castilleja are partly parasitic on the roots of other plants they seem to cause little damage to their hosts
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple | Red | Green Grey Silver | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Purple | Red | Green Grey Silver | |
| Autumn | Green Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Orobanchaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Trailing
- Genus
Castilleja can be annual or perennial herbaceous plants with bright red leaf-like bracts surrounding white to green flowers in early to mid-spring.
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- USA (NV, UT, CO, NM)
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun in a very well-drained light sandy medium with added leafmould, close to Penstemons or other host plants
Propagation
Propagate by seed in the intended final position, ensuring that seedlings can become established by forming a connection with a host plant by growing them within a few cm of a suitable host such as Penstemons
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Rock garden
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wall side borders
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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