In the wild, Indian pink is found along edges of woods and streams, but this "Top 10 Hummingbird Plant" (Operation RubyThroat) is a cinch to grow in a large container on the patio. Give it some shade and fertile, well-drained soil, and spend the rest of the season admiring dark green foliage and dazzling displays of bright-crimson, tubular flowers with yellow throats. The erect flowers bloom shortly after spring ephemerals fade in May or early June, serving as a major nectar source for hummingbirds, their primary pollinators. The plant may rebloom more vigorously if lightly pruned after the first flush of flowers. Even after the flowers have faded, your container will display a bounteous mound of glossy foliage until the first frost.
It's not a stretch to learn that Indian pink is one of about 50 species of herbaceous perennials in the family Loganiaceae, which includes mostly tropical and warm-area species. Indian pink is imperiled in much of its range in the southeastern US due to a variety of factors, but it's a hardy, reliable perennial once established, and deer rarely browse it. In the landscape, choose a spot with moist to average soil that receives dappled light or part sun. It thrives in shadier conditions and only tolerates additional sun if the roots are kept cool and moist with additional water. The sturdy leaves are a nice contrast to other shade-loving plants, such as ferns, foamflower, and wild ginger. Horticulturalist Kimberly Toscano says Indian pink is a stunning bloomer in full shade. She notes that it's incredibly adaptable to different light and moisture conditions, including dry shade, but partial sun and moist soils are ideal.
Native habitats include woodlands and banks of streams. Use in shade, native, and pollinator gardens; along water features; and on edges of woods. To collect seeds, wrap netting around green seedpods before the seeds are ejected. Sow immediately for best germination.
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 18-30" tall and 24" wide.
Prefers part or full shade; tolerates less than 6 hours of sun.
Grows best in moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates wet and dry soils.
Blooms May-June or July. Inflorescence is a one-sided cyme of 2-12 upward-facing, red tubular flowers that narrow near the top. Five short tips flare out to reveal a bright yellow interior. Stamens and style project beyond the tips. Fruit capsules appear June-July. Black seeds shoot out several feet from the plant when mature.
Ovate, deeply veined leaves are 2-6" long with smooth margins. They appear opposite, in 4-7 pairs, on unbranched stems.
Wildlife Value:
Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Rarely browsed by deer or other animals.
Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:
Native Americans used the plant to treat intestinal worms and coughing.
Caution: toxic to humans.
Resources:
Dave Creech: https://dcreechsite.com/2016/05/03/a-love-affair-with-indian-pink/
Fine Gardening: https://www.finegardening.com/article/native-to-know-indian-pink?srsltid=AfmBOopyjQTHhylfnvBpUtKmuJHt1FPGhTtaCP5u4s24OnJGfHlFU7MV
Grow Native: https://grownative.org/native_plants/indian-pink/
North Carolina Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/spigelia-marilandica/
Prairie Moon: https://www.prairiemoon.com/spigelia-marilandica-indian-pink
USDA: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/spigelia_marilandica.shtml