Castilleja hispida
harsh paintbrush
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesAttracts HummingbirdsDeer ResistantDrought Tolerant
Native to North America
Overview
Castilleja hispida is a hemiparasitic perennial reaching 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) tall, growing from a woody base with several erect, hairy stems. The lance-shaped leaves are 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, green, and coarsely hairy, the upper ones often three- to five-lobed near the tip. The colored display comes from bracts rather than petals: the upper bracts are bright red to orange-red, 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) long, and surround small green-and-yellow tubular flowers that barely extend beyond them. Blooming runs from late spring into summer. Like other paintbrushes, its roots form connections to neighboring plants and draw water and nutrients from them, so it grows poorly in isolation. Stems and foliage are stiffly hairy, giving the plant a rough texture. It is native to open, well-drained sites and is short-lived and difficult to establish without a compatible host plant nearby, often grasses or other perennials.
Native Range
Native to western North America from British Columbia south to northern California and east to Idaho and Montana. Grows in open grasslands, meadows, rocky slopes, and coastal bluffs, generally below 7,000 feet (2,100 m).Suggested Uses
Used in native meadow plantings, prairie restoration, and rock gardens where host plants are present. Suited to mixed plantings rather than isolated spots, as it depends on neighboring roots. Established from seed sown with a host rather than as spaced transplants.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Red to orange-red bractsFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight