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Re: Indian paintbrush-castillegia coccinea

Hello Heather:

Royal catchfly, Silene regia, is a lovely, native, hummingbird 
pollinated plant that flowers in the months between the the early 
columbine and the later cardinal flower and jewelweed. Oswego tea, 
Monarda didyma, is another. The latter is quite susceptible to mildew 
as the season progresses, but there are some resistant selections in 
the nursery trade, if you're not being sticklish about local 
genotypes. Also, some of the red or blue-flowered tropical Salvia 
spp. (e.g. S. splendens, S. guaranitica) are not native, obviously, 
but because they are tender in cold winters, do not become invasive, 
and they are HIGHLY attractive to hummingbirds.

I have watched Indian paintbrush in the native populations here in 
eastern Missouri and never seen it visited by hummingbirds. Its main 
pollinators seem to be swallowtail butterflies, which are also nice 
to have in your garden, of course. Also, paintbrush is rather "iffy" 
in a garden, in my experience, but may do better in your setting. 
Ample late winter-spring moisture seems to be essential for this 
plant.

I agree with the comments you've already recieved about trumpet 
creeper being aggressive, but the hummers do love it and cutting half 
of it back fairly severely each year will keep it in check while 
allowing good flowering on the other half.

James C. Trager
Shaw Arboretum
P.O. Box 38
Gray Summit MO 63039
PH# 314-451-3512
FAX 314-451-5583
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