Spotlight on Spigelia

Spigelia marilandica is another one of those wonderful native plants* that you won't find in your local big box store or even in most independent garden centers. Which is a gosh darn shame, it's a fantastic plant that would be an asset in most gardens.

Glossy green, ovate to lance-shaped leaves (to 4" long)

Indian Pink, as it is commonly known, is a clump-forming (boy oh boy, do I wish it colonized) perennial which naturally occurs in moist woods and along stream banks. The attractive upward facing trumpet shaped red flowers, flare at the top to form a five pointed yellow star. The colorful and unusual flowers are an outstanding source of nectar for hummingbirds and would be a marvelous addition to your pollinator friendly garden.  Of course, they are also perfect for your colorful cottage garden, your shady woodland garden or a moist sunny spot in your perennial garden. Once established they can take a less than moist summer garden soil, after all, they do grow well at Clay and Limestone.

When seen from above the flowers look like stars

No, you won't find this uncommon beauty in just any place. You'll have to seek it out from a native plant specialist, but, it's worth the effort to get this hummingbird magnet into your garden. The red and yellow flowers grab attention in a shady garden and when massed in the right spot they can knock your socks off.

Massed in front of the pond in Robyn Brown's garden

 Go on, pull those socks back on and start looking for these beauties for your garden!

Spigelia is pollinated by hummingbirds!

In case you need convincing: Indian Pink is listed as one of the Top Ten plants for attracting hummingbirds. I can't grow everything on the list, but, I sure can get more Spigelia malilandica and maybe a few more on that hummer list!

xoxogail

"Top Ten" Native Hummingbird Plants
 

#1: Trumpet Creeper, Campsis radicans
#2: Beebalm or Oswego Tea, Monarda didyma
#3: Trumpet Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens
#4: Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis
#5: Spotted Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis
#6: Red Columbine, Aquilegia canadense
#7: Canada Lily, Lilium canadense
#8: Indian Pink, Spigelia marilandica
#9: Red Buckeye, Aesculus pavia
#10: Mountain Rosebay or Catawba Rhododendron, Rhododendron catawbiense

*Habitat: Found in rich woods from New Jersey to Florida and west to Texas and Wisconsin, primarily in the Southern States.

Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.

May Blooms For Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day-2012

A few blooms to help us all celebrate the marvelous and magnificent month of May.

Iris 'versicolor'

Blephilia ciliata (Downy Wood mint)

Oenothera fruticosa (Sundrops)

Penstemon calycosus affectionately known as Penstemon X

Gillenia stipulata (American Ipecac)

Aquilegia canadensis

Spigelia marilandica  (Indian pink)

Tradescantia 

Agastache 'Golden Jubilee' in the Susans' bed with Oenothera speciosa, Asclepias tuberosa in the background


Have a marvelous and magnificent May Bloom Day!
xxoogail

Now, it's time to visit  May Dreams Gardens, where our delightful hostess, Carol, has set up the Mr Linky magic carpet ride to more Bloom Day posts than you can imagine. You're in for a treat~it's still Spring (and late Autumn in the Southern Hemphisphere) and gardens are dressed in their finest.

Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone." She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.