How to Care for Indian Pink Wildflowers

 

The scientific name of Indian pink wildflowers is Spigelia marilandica, and they are found across most areas of the southeastern United States, as far north as New Jersey and also as far west as Texas. The Indian pink wildflower is threatened in many areas, primarily due to indiscriminate harvesting by overzealous gardeners. The Indian pink wildflowers is easy to grow, but if you have a hankering for growing Indian pink plants, be a good sport and leave the Indian pink wildflowers in their natural environment. Instead, purchase the plant from a greenhouse or nursery that specializes in native plants or wildflowers. Continue reading to learn more about Indian pink wildflowers.

 

Indian Pink Wildflower Information

This stunning native plant is a clump-forming perennial that reaches mature heights of about twelve to eighteen inches. The emerald-green foliage actually provides delightful contrast to the vivid red flowers, which appear in late spring and early summer. The flared, tube-shaped flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds, and also they are even more interesting by the bright yellow insides that form a star when the bloom is open.

 

How to Grow Indian Pink Wildflowers

The Indian pink wildflower is a good choice for partial shade and doesn’t do well in full sunlight. Although the plant can easily tolerates full shade, it is likely to be long, leggy, and less attractive than a plant that gets a few hours of daily sunlight. The Indian pink wildflower is a woodland plant that actually thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil, so dig an inch or 2 of compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting.  

 

How to care for Indian pink wildflower

Once the plant is established, the plant gets along just fine with very little attention. The Indian pink wildflower benefits from regular irrigation, the plant is tough enough to withstand periods of drought. However, the plants in sunlight actually require more water than the plants in partial shade. Like most woodland plants, the Indian pink wildflower performs best in slightly acidic soil. The Indian pink wildflower will appreciate regular feeding with a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, such as camellias, rhodies, or azaleas. The Indian pink wildflower is easy to propagate once the plant is well established in about 3 years. You can also propagate the Indian pink wildflower by taking cuttings in early spring, or by planting the seeds you have collected from the ripe seed capsules in summer. Plant the Indian pink wildflower seeds immediately.