Species Saltmarsh Paintbrush
yellow-white flowers with green-brown foliage

Saltmarsh Paintbrush

Castilleja ambigua var. ambigua

Saltmarsh Paintbrush (Castilleja ambigua var. ambigua)is a flowering plant species native to the Pacific Coast of North America. It grows in salt marshes in the San Francisco Bay Area. It has thin, upright stems covered with softly hairy, pointed leaves and small yellow and orange flowers. The blooms are arranged in terminal spikes that are topped with brush-like clusters of fused bracts. This species is an excellent addition to any wildlife garden or wetland habitat. It is easy to propagate and requires minimal care. Saltmarsh Paintbrush can also be found in native planting projects and is prized for its showy flowers and ability to attract a variety of pollinators.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

purple,pink,tan,white Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,tan

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Rocky Mountain White Heather (Cassiope tetragona subsp. saximontana) requires moderate watering; the soil should be kept evenly moist but not wet or soggy. Aim for about 1" of water per week during the growing season (spring/summer). If rainfall is abundant, additional watering will not be necessary. In the fall and winter months, however, scale back watering to once a month. Do not water the plant if the soil is wet or cold. If you're unsure, it's better to wait until the soil is dry before watering.

sunlight

Rocky Mountain White Heather typically grows best in areas with full sun, meaning that it should be exposed to direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. During the summer months, the plant can tolerate more direct sunlight and may even perform better if exposed to full sun all day long. During the winter months, however, the plant should receive some respite from direct sunlight for at least part of the day to avoid sunburn and leaf burn. It's always best to find a spot with some afternoon shade.

pruning

Rocky Mountain White Heather should be pruned once per year after the blooms have appeared. Pruning should occur during the summer prior to the plant going dormant for the winter. Pruning can be done more frequently but should be limited to light shearing. For this species, avoid pruning more than 1/3 of the stem material as it can weaken the plant and reduce flowering potential. Pruning is primarily done to maintain a bushy appearance and a desirable shape. It is important to remove dead or damaged material to help promote new growth and flowering.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.