Spigelia Spigelia marilandica
Type: Perennial
Blooms: Tubular red flowers with yellow interiors bloom in early to midsummer
Light: Part to full shade
Soil: Prefers moist, rich soil; tolerates wet soil
Pests: None serious
Size: 12 to 24 in. tall, 12 to 18 in. wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9
Brighten shade gardens with this unique perennial
This is the plant for you if you’re looking for something unusual for your shade garden. Spigelia marilandica (you might also find this plant by the name of Carolina pink or Indian pink) is native to the southeastern United States and it’s starting to take off as a garden plant, and a striking one at that.
Enjoy gorgeous blooms and handsome foliage
At 12 to 24 inches tall, this perennial is perfect in the middle of the border. Red is an unusual color for shade perennials anyway, and these trumpet-shaped beauties with the yellow centers would draw attention anywhere. The bold-textured foliage remains clean and fresh through the growing season, so the clumps help add some structure to your garden even when plants aren’t blooming.
Attract more hummingbirds
Hummingbirds love Spigelia marilandica, and it blooms in early summer, just in time for the arrival of ruby-throated hummingbirds in many areas. Although the biggest flush of bloom is generally in June, nipping off the faded flowers can encourage sporadic reblooming through the end of summer. You can also cut it back by about a third after the first flush of blooms, which can lead to some later flowers.
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Spigelia care tips
In its native environment, you’ll find this perennial along streams and in wetlands. It prefers moist, rich soil, with plenty of organic matter, so work compost into the soil at planting time to enhance the growing conditions. This perennial prefers part shade; the more moisture it has, the more sun it can tolerate. It will do best if it has some shade during the middle of the day.
Although it’s hardy in zones 5 to 9, it can survive winters in zone 4 with a little extra protection from chopped leaves or mulch. It might even reseed if it’s happy in its location. The black seed pods that form when the flowers fade will actually fling seed several feet when they pop open.
You may find the species at your local garden center or online, but there are also a few more compact cultivars available such as: ‘Ragin’ Cajun’, ‘Little Redhead’ and ‘Apple Slices’. No matter which one you plant, you’re going to love this striking plant in your shade garden.
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