Spigelia marilandica - INDIAN PINK

The name of this gorgeous clump-forming perennial comes from its past use – Native Americans (Creek and Cherokee) used the poisonous root to expel intestinal worms. The flowers are tubular, with an extraordinary bright red-yellow color combination, and the leaves are bright light green. Clumps are formed by several blooming stems; deadheading will prolong its flowering period. Due to Indian Pink’s tolerance to different types of soils and drought tolerance, this wildflower deserves to be planted much more in our half shaded or shaded gardens (borders, woodland edges, low maintenance plantings, high accept plants).

It is best planted in groups, can be naturalized, and good companion plants could be Chrysogonum virginianum, Geranium maculatum, Heuchera Americana, Iris cristata, Maianthemum, Phlox divaricata or stolonifera, Polemonium reptans, Polygonatum, Stylophorum divaricatum, Tiarella cordifolia or woodland asters, sedges or smaller ferns. Non-native perennial companions will also work fine – Aruncus aethusifolius, Bergenia, Brunnera, Epimedium, hardy Geraniums, Hosta, Hakonechloa, Heucherella, Ligularia, Persicaria, Waldsteinia,…And don't forget, this is a hummingbird plant too!

Blooming Time: early June to mid/late July
Size: usually about 1-1.5’ high x 1’ wide
USDA Zones: 5 to 9
Culture: half shade, shade, dappled shade, best if grown in rich soils with some organic material (leafy compost, decaying leaves, fine mulch, compost), but is adaptable to loamy, sandy and clay soil too. This perennial is also drought tolerant!
Moisture Needs: medium-dry, medium
Origin: native to the eastern United States from Maryland to the Florida, and west to Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Usually found in high quality natural areas in clearings, moist woodlands, edges, bottom land forests, swamp borders, shaded creek banks etc.
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes/yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds: yes, favorite hummingbird plant
Pot Size: 3.5" x 5" pot