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Ships in FALL

Redbirds In A Tree (Scrophularia)

Scrophularia macrantha

$9.99
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per Plant - 2.5" Pot
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ZONES  5-10 | Good to grow! Zone
Choose a Size: Plant - 2.5" Pot
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Size: Plant - 2.5" Pot
$9.99
$9.99 $0.00
$17.99
$17.99 $0.00
We're sorry, this product cannot ship to: Canada, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, US Virgin Islands, and Guam

• Scrophularia macrantha (Redbirds 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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Description

Scrophularia macrantha, a very rare Penstemon relative known as Redbirds in a Tree, 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 quite handsome, and with a tall, informal habit, Redbirds in a Tree will lean over and intertwine with tall neighboring plants for support.
Unike other species of Scrophularia which are insect pollinated, Redbirds in a Tree is pollinated by hummingbirds.
Panayoti Kelaidis of the Denver Botanic Gardens found and collected the seed on the pine-covered slopes of Cookes Peak, near Deming, NM. The summit rises to over 8,400 feet, towering over a panoramic view of the vast Chihuahuan desert. From this high altitude habitat, Redbirds in a Tree was brought into cultivation, and given its common name by our very own founder, David Salman.

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. Scrophularia macrantha grows well in a wide range of soil types, be sure to amend heavy clay soils to provide a fast-draining substrate.
  2. Prefers crushed gravel mulch, or other non-water retentive mulch materials like crushed pecan shells. Avoid bark mulch and wood chips, as these can cause fungal disease in moist conditions.
  3. Drought tolerant once established, but benefits from supplemental watering during long periods without rainfall.
  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. Avoid rich highly amended soils, as S. macrantha prefers lean soil with minimal fertilizers

Special comments:      

  • Scrophularia macrantha is a short-lived perennial, providing well drained and lean soil may prolong the lifespan. In ideal conditions S. macrantha may self-sow nicely providing future generations of plants.
  • Leave flower stalks standing through winter to shelter its crown, cut back to 2-3 inches in mid-spring as new growth begins to appear.
  • Certain times of the year this plant may ship dormant with minimal or no top growth. 
    Don’t panic, follow our Dormant Plant Tips for ensured success. 

Shipping

We're sorry, this product cannot ship to: Canada, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, US Virgin Islands, and Guam

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 (801) 769-0300 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Light Requirements

  • Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade
  • Full Sun

Bloom Time

Early summer to mid fall

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Native
  • Long Bloom Time
  • Easy To Grow
  • Cut Flowers
  • Container Planting
  • Rock Gardens
  • Rabbit Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

36-48" tall

Mature Spread

18" wide

Soil Type

  • Compost Enriched Garden Loam Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Waterwise

Planting Time

  • Fall

Awards

Plant Select® 2008, Green Thumb 1998, High Country Gardens Plant of the Year 2026

Special Groups

  • High Country Gardens Introduction

Growing Zones

  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9
  • Zone 10

Can Send To PO Box

No

Ships to Hawaii & Alaska

No

Overall rating: 3.936508 / 5 from 63 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: [look, buy, plant, flowers, tree, birds, growing, addition, roots, surprise, hummingbirds, temperatures].

Review highlights

Reviews

Don't recommend fall purchase

"Purchased 3 plants in fall of 2025 and planted immediately even though I emailed the company to share they looked like rough poor sticks - seems the fall plants were the runts or worst of HCG's bunch. One did not survive the winter, one is barely 4" x 4" in mid July and and the 3rd is about 2" x 1" and hasn't grown this season. Hoping the 3 year rule to leaping applies but wishing I had paid the same price for large beautiful starting plants at my local nursery instead - I purchased one to replace the HCG that didn't survive and it's already thriving and growing after just 6 weeks so it's not the soil or location causing the HCG plants to struggle."

— Rochelle R. (2/5)

4ft in 2 years

"Year 2 of my Redbirds in a tree, and they’ve grown to 4 and 4. 5 ft tall. It’s the plant everyone asks about when they come through my yard. They also bloomed the first year which was a nice surprise. They bloomed from July through mid-September, during a very hot Denver summer. They really came to life when other plants started fading."

— Alex (5/5)

It didnt make it. Died

"It didnt make it. Died after planting."

— Evelyn H. (1/5)

Red Birds in the tree

"One the cutest plants ever, and my hummingbirds LOVE them."

— Naomi (5/5)

Redbirds in a tree looking

"Redbirds in a tree looking good & doing well. Ditto for two each Mexican Hats & coreopsis. Lavenders holding their own - we shall see. . . . HOWEVER, only one agastache survived (sad face - very sad, sadder than emoticon can show). Was gonna order replacements, cuz these were my most hotly desired plants. But alas they are out of stock. We had 20° cold snap, and although covered, the little babies just couldn't come back. Do not plan to ever give up on the licorice mint though - this is my totem plant. ps: one agastache from last year doing well & sumac also. Thanks for asking. Sincerely, Mary Stone"

— mary s. (5/5)

Packaging was done poorly, dirt

"Packaging was done poorly, dirt was all over in the box and the plants were almost dead. I had to pick all the dead leaves off and put soil back in containers. For the price I paid I was expecting a lot better packaging job and better quality in the plants. I ship for a living and I would never have used a box like that to ship plants in."

— Mary K. (3/5)

I order2 plants, one is

"I order2 plants, one is gone,it didn't make it, the other is doing great,still small, no flowers, will see what happens."

— Maria M. (4/5)

Very disappointed.

"Ordered three plants. All three were delivered very poorly packaged and completely dry. Almost all shoots were damaged. Very disappointing. Will never order from this company again."

— Nedialka M. (1/5)

Mine did not look anything

"Mine did not look anything like this. It’s mostly leaves with one little sprout of red at the top."

— Stephanie H. (2/5)

The dirt was completely out

"The dirt was completely out of the container. The green newly sprouted part fell off the roots. I did plant them and cross my finger and said a prayer that they make it. Very dissappointed with how they arrived. We own a eccomerce gardening company and ship live plants daily. I understand the complexity of shipping. I would suggest a piece of carboard to cover the container to prevent spillage of the soil."

— Sheila K. (1/5)

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