trefle.io · Taken May 25, 2021 by Jennifer MacDonald (cc-by-sa)
Orobanchaceae
Downy paintbrush
Castilleja sessiliflora
Also known as Castilleja sessiliflora f. purpurina, Castilleja sessiliflora, downy Indian paintbrush, Bartsia grandiflora
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Native Wildflower · Prairie · Hemiparasite · Hummingbird · Castilleja · Grassland · Paintbrush · Difficult · Specialty
Downy paintbrush is a hemiparasitic wildflower that requires a grass or forb host plant to thrive, making it challenging to grow outside its native prairie habitat. It prefers well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade and does not transplant well, so sow seed directly near suitable host plants. Best suited for experienced native plant gardeners recreating authentic prairie or grassland plantings.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water moderately, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6–7.4
- Temperature
- -25°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed, Division, Cutting
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 4 ft
- Spread
- 4 ft
- Spacing
- 12 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yellow
- Foliage
- Yellow · Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alberta, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Manitoba, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southwest, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Texas
- Attracts
- Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Bees
Sources: trefle, usda
More Castilleja
Related plants from the same genus
Wavy-leaf paintbrush
Castilleja applegatei
Full Sun · Moderate · Slow
Castilleja angustifolia var. angustifolia
Castilleja angustifolia var. angustifolia
Partial Sun · Moderate · Moderate
Scarlet indian paintbrush
Castilleja coccinea
Partial Sun · Moderate · Fast
Northwestern indian paintbrush
Castilleja angustifolia
Partial Sun · Moderate · Moderate
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No nursery lists Downy paintbrush right now.