Species Elko Indian Paintbrush
red-pink flowers with olive-green leaves and burgundy stems

Elko Indian Paintbrush

Castilleja miniata var. fulva

The Elko Indian Paintbrush is a perennial wildflower native to the Great Basin area. It is characterized by its bright red and orange blooms that stand out in midsummer and its basal rosettes of deeply lobed green leaves. Its flowers are also adapted to capture pollen from the wind, resulting in their dainty, nodding heads. These flowers not only attract hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators, but they also provide colorful interest to any garden. This variety is a particularly hardy survivor, thriving in the harsh climate of the region.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Giant Red Indian Paintbrush prefers well-drained soil and full sun, and should be watered regularly. Water the plants deeply and thoroughly twice a week—once in the morning and again in the afternoon. Let the top inch or so of soil dry out in between waterings. If this species gets too much water it can suffer from root rot so make sure the soil is well-drained. If temperatures get too hot, reduce watering to once a week. However, in the height of summer it may also require supplemental water to avoid wilting. During the winter months, water your Giant Red Indian Paintbrush only once a week. Be sure to check the soil moisture level; if the soil is not wet when you check it, water it.

sunlight

The Giant Red Indian Paintbrush enjoys a bright, sunny position with a minimum of 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It thrives in moist and well-drained soils in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. The plant benefits from partial shade in areas of extremely high temperatures during the summer months. Ideal temperatures for the Giant Red Indian Paintbrush range between 65 and 75°F.

pruning

For best results, Giant Red Indian Paintbrush should be pruned in the early spring, before the flowering season begins. Pruning should consist of removal of dead or diseased stems and branches, as well as any stems that are crowding out other growth. When it comes to pruning, the main goal is to maintain the natural shape of the shrub while removing as little vegetation as possible. This means that the pruning should be as light as possible, removing only dead or damaged vegetation. Additionally, any suckers (stems growing from the base of the shrub) should be removed as well.

⚠️ 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.