Eastwood's Fiddleneck
Amsinckia eastwoodiae
Care
full sun
0–3ft tall
Mar-May
Friendly
Interior grasslands and scrub of the Sierra Nevada foothills and inner Coast Ranges from Kern to Butte County, 1000-3000 ft elevation
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Eastwood's Fiddleneck in full sun - it needs at least 6 hours of direct light daily to thrive. This is a spring-blooming annual, so plant it in fall or early winter in the Bay Area to establish before the March-May flowering season. Space plants according to their mature size of 1-4 feet tall, giving them room to spread.
After Planting
Water regularly during the first growing season to help your fiddleneck establish, then gradually reduce watering as the plant matures and temperatures warm. Expect bright orange tubular flowers in spring, and remember that this bristly annual is adapted to California's native conditions - the biggest mistake is overwatering or planting in shade, which will weaken the plant and reduce blooming.
Visit Calscape for more information about Eastwood's Fiddleneck
Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
Endemic to California, habitat loss from urban development
Coast horned lizard, coastal sage scrub specialist
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Early season pollen and nectar source Mar-May
Early season pollen source when flowers available
Spring foraging on early Amsinckia blooms
Mammals
Seed caching in fall after seed maturation
Fall seed foraging and winter food storage
Reptiles
Shelter and camouflage in spring growth