Castilleja miniata

RHS Plant Profile
giant red Indian paintbrush

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giant red Indian paintbrush RHS

Synonyms

Castilleja crista-galli

Herbaceous Perennial
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A semi-parasitic, herbaceous perennial to 25cmwith upright stems carrying narrow leaves and, in summer, terminal clusters of red-orange bracts, apple green at the base, with red flowers

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Orobanchaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Castilleja can be annual or perennial herbaceous plants with bright red leaf-like bracts surrounding white to green flowers in early to mid-spring.
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun in moist but well-drained soil. Can also be grown successfully in pots; a host plant is not essential

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free