Dense-flower Indian Paintbrush

Castilleja densiflora subsp. Densiflora

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Care

Size

0–1ft tall

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Native Range

Coastal scrub and grassland of the San Francisco Bay Area from Marin County to Santa Cruz County, below 1500 ft elevation

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Dense-flower Indian Paintbrush in a location that mimics its native grassland and chaparral habitat. This species is a root-parasite, meaning it depends on nearby plants to thrive, so avoid planting it in isolation - include companion plants in your garden bed. Space plants according to their mature size of 10-40 centimeters tall.

After Planting

The most critical thing to know: this plant needs neighboring plants to survive since it's a root-parasite and cannot live on its own. Without host plants nearby, it will fail no matter how perfect your watering and sunlight are. Establish your paintbrush as part of a mixed planting rather than as a specimen plant, and monitor it during its first season to ensure the surrounding plants are healthy and well-established.

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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported

Edith's checkerspot butterflyEuphydryas editha

Some subspecies federally protected; species has state endangered designation

CA: Endangered

Chalcedon CheckerspotEuphydryas chalcedona

California Species of Special Concern

CA Special Concern

Wildlife Supported