You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
Pedicularis grows wild on my Zone 7 property. I have also seen it growing at higher elevations than mine. It has an unusual, bright red flower that blooms a short time in the spring. It is one of the few red-blooming wild plants in my area. The fernlike foliage also has some interest.
In my area, this plant is most often found in shady areas under oaks, although I have found it in poor soil on well-drained and shady cut road banks. I have dug up a single plant (in early Spring) to move; the soil was very deep, moist, and full of oak leaf mold. It was in partial shade. I must assume that the soil is quite acidic in this location. The plant I dug turned out to be 3 separate plants. Each plant is doing well in pots in partial shade, moderate water. I plan to monitor the wild Pedicularis on my property; if they begin to go into a summer dormancy, I will cease watering my potted plants, and then transplant the dried plants into a selected spot in the Fall.
Botanical sources list Indian Warrior as a hemiparasite. It facultatively can attach its root system to the roots of another plant (such as a shrub or an oak). It can survive without this attachment, but it is said to generally prefer the strategy. Could be a good strategy in areas like mine that suffer hot, dry summers.
I'll keep you posted on my success with this plant.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Igo, California Malibu, California Sacramento, California San Diego, California Saratoga, California Sunol, California
One member has or wants this plant for trade.
