Species Narrow Leaved Owl Clover
white-brown flowers with lime sepals, foliage and lime stems

Narrow Leaved Owl Clover

Castilleja attenuata

Also Known As - Attenuate Indian Paintbrush
Narrow Leaved Owl Clover (Castilleja attenuata) is an annual plant native to western North America. It is an evergreen with green-gray stems which can reach heights of up to one foot. The plant has narrow lance shaped foliage with a darker gray underside. The owl clover’s leaves have a slightly waxy texture and clusters of tube like flowers with a rose-purple color. It grows best in well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade and blooms between April to September. The plant’s unique foliage adds texture and interest to gardens and it makes a great addition for rock gardens and as an edging and border plant.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

Sun, Partial Shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The Paintbrush Owlclover, (Castilleja ambigua) should be watered deeply and infrequently. It should be watered about once every 2 weeks during the summer months and about once a month during the winter months. When watering, ensure the soil is moist but not soggy and that the entire root system is getting an even amount of moisture. If the soil starts to dry out quickly, you may need to water more frequently.

sunlight

Paintbrush Owlclover prefers full sun and does best in hot and dry areas. To ensure this species stays vigorous and blooms abundantly, it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day during the growing season. It should receive morning sun and dappled sun in the afternoon, as too much direct sun can cause its foliage to scorch. Make sure to plant it in an area that is free from intense afternoon sun. The ideal amount of sunlight for Paintbrush Owlclover would be 6 to 8 hours per day.

pruning

Paintbrush owlclover (Castilleja ambigua) should be pruned when it blooms in late summer and fall. Pruning should only be done lightly. It is best to remove only ⅓ of the length of each flower stem at a time, to prevent the plant from becoming leggy. Depending on the age of the plant, new shoots can be trimmed back by a few inches or more to encourage denser growth and bushier plants. Pruning should also be done as the plant is actively growing—in late spring or early summer—to keep it looking neat and encourage fresh bloom growth.

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