Species Downy Paintbrush
pink-white flowers with green foliage and green stems

Downy Paintbrush

Castilleja sessiliflora

Also Known As - Downy Painted Cup,Great Plains Indian Paintbrush
The Downy Paintbrush (Castilleja sessiliflora) is a low-growing perennial wildflower in the western United States. Its bright pink or yellow bracts give the Downy Paintbrush its common name. The foliage is deeply divided and somewhat hairy, and the small, delicate flowerheads grow on the end of densely packed spikes. Overall, the plant measures up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall. The Downy Paintbrush thrives in rocky, open places where it receives plenty of sun and minimal competition from other plants. It is a great choice for a drought tolerant, low maintenance garden bed in a western climate.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Downy Paintbrush (Castilleja sessiliflora) should be watered deeply once or twice per week in the summer months. During the winter months, watering should be reduced to once a month. Watering should be done at the base of the plant, making sure not to get the leaves or flowers wet. If the soil is dry, the plant should be watered until the soil is moist. If the soil is still wet, the plant does not need to be watered.

sunlight

Downy Paintbrush (Castilleja sessiliflora) is an herbaceous perennial plant that thrives in full sun. It prefers 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight each day, with partial shade in the middle of the day when the sun is the strongest. The ideal temperature for Downy Paintbrush is between 60-80°F. When temperatures exceed 85°F for an extended period of time, the plant may suffer. It also prefers moist, well-drained soil. The plant can tolerate drought, but for ideal growth, regular watering is required.

pruning

Downy Paintbrush (Castilleja sessiliflora) should be pruned in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning should be done quickly and only done if the plant is becoming overgrown or the plants are showing signs of disease. For Downy Paintbrush, it is best to prune it back by about 1/3 of its overall size. When pruning, make sure to avoid cutting too close to the base of the plant since the plant won't return to its overall size after significant pruning. Additionally, make sure to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches.