This week I would like to sing the praises of Indian Pink, Spigelia marilindica. This shade-loving perennial has been blooming for the past 3 weeks and will continue well into July. Spigelia is a long-blooming, shade-loving native with beautiful red and yellow trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. Indian Pink can be difficult to get established but once plants take hold they increase in size each year and are long lived. Plant in full to part shade. Morning or late afternoon sun will increase the vigor and give more flowers. Average to moist, well draining, fertile soils are optimal. This plant does best if planted before mid-July. Indian Pink will emerge late in spring compared to other perennials so mark where you plant it and don’t give up on it. Often Indian Pink will not emerge until mid-May. Give this plant time, and it will reward you greatly.
