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Redbirds In A Tree (Scrophularia)

Scrophularia macrantha

$14.39
$14.39 $17.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
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ZONES  5-10 | Good to grow! Zone
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$14.39
$14.39 $17.99
Amount: Plant - 5" Deep Pot
$9.99
$9.99 $0.00
$14.39
$14.39 $17.99
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• Scrophularia macrantha (Red Birds in a Tree) is a very rare relative of the penstemon, first introduced by High Country Gardens in 1996
• A hummingbird's delight, this rugged xeric wildflower blooms all summer with spires of small red, white-lipped flowers that resemble a flock of red birds perched on a tree branch
• Native to the mountains of New Mexico, this impressive wildflower has shown great adaptability in perennial gardens and xeriscapes
• A High Country Gardens Introduction
• 2008 Plant Select® selection. 1998 Green Thumb Award Winner

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Redbirds In A Tree (Scrophularia)

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Description

1998 Green Thumb Award Winner + 2008 Plant Select Winner. 36-48" tall x 18" wide (seed propagated). Cookes Peak's pine-covered summit rises to over 8,400 feet, towering over the desert near Deming, NM. Looking south you see the panorama of Mexico and its vast expanse of the Chihuahuan desert. From Scrophularia's high altitude habitat of over 7,200 ft. on this mountain's slopes, Panayoti Kelaidis of the Denver Botanic Gardens collected the seed our stock plants were grown from. Scrophularia, a very rare Penstemon relative, is a garden treasure blooming from early summer through fall with long wands of white-lipped, cherry-red flowers. The dark green angular foliage is also quite handsome. The plant has a tall, informal habit and will lean over and intertwine with tall neighboring plants for support. Plant it next to Pitcher's Sage or 'Blue Fortune' Hyssop for this very reason. Very popular with the hummingbirds, too!

Planting & Care

Scrophularia macrantha (Red Birds in a Tree) is a long-blooming native wildflower that is easy-to-grow and provides ample nectar for hummingbirds. It's resistant to browsing rabbits.

Preferred growing conditions:

  1. Scophularia grows will in a wide range of soil types, but not clay.
  2. It should be mulched in dry climates with crushed gravel, pine needles and other non-water retentive mulch materials like crushed pecan shells. Avoid bark mulch and wood chips, as these can cause fungal disease in rainy conditions.
  3. Requires deep, regular watering in dry climates.
  4. Plant in full or part sun conditions. Afternoon shade is best in hotter climates. Full sun with regular irrigation is fine in moderately hot summer regions.
  5. Adding just a few handfuls of compost and Yum Yum Mix in the planting hole is enough. Avoid rich, highly -mended soil as this encourages rapid, soft growth and the plant will likely not make it through the winter.

Special comments:

  • Scrophularia is not a long lived perennial and gardeners should expect to replace old plants every 3 to 4 years. It is a star of the garden and well worth the investment.
  • Avoid chemical fertilizers and too much water, as this will cause the plant to grow quite large and floppy, reducing winter hardiness and shortening its lifespan in the garden.

Garden care:

  1. Fertilize Scrophularia just once in fall with Yum Yum Mix and Planters II
  2. To improve cold hardiness, leave plants standing through the winter and cut back the stems to a height of 2-3" inches in mid-spring.

Shipping

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As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (802) 227-7200 or contact us by email or chat.

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key features

Advantages
  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Native
  • Long Bloom Time
  • Easy To Grow
  • Cut Flowers
  • Container Planting
  • Rock Gardens
  • Rabbit Resistant
Light Requirements
  • Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade
  • Full Sun
Bloom Time
Early summer to mid fall

Additional information

Planting Time
  • Spring / Summer
Soil Moisture
  • Waterwise
Soil Type
  • Compost Enriched Garden Loam Soil
Mature Height
36-48" tall
Mature Spread
18" wide
Growing Zones
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9
  • Zone 10
Ideal Region
  • Suitable Above 7000 ft
  • Coastal California
  • Pacific Northwest
  • Southwest
  • West
Awards
Plant Select®, Green Thumb, HCG Plant Of The Year
Special Groups
  • High Country Gardens Introduction
Non-GMO
No
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