These little blue beauties are found along the northern Lake Michigan and Lake Huron shores. Of course, no Michigan wildflower list is complete without the inclusion of the official state wildflower, the dwarf lake iris. Here are some of our favorite wildflowers in the mitten and just a bit about them to help you search for, identify, and admire them. We’ve prepared a help guide to help you recognize a beautiful wildflower for the next time you step out into Michigan nature to take a hike and explore our state. Not to worry, though, since you can learn about, identify, and appreciate the wildflower species of Michigan without committing to understanding the complexities of botanical science in order to do so. It becomes easy to overlook really special and perhaps even rare wildflowers if it’s not something you already have expertise in. The sheer variety of Michigan’s wildflower populations is worthy of awe, but when out hiking, it’s hard to know just what flowers you’re encountering.
Indian paintbrush plant full#
When the pods are dry, remove the seeds and store them in a cool, dry place.The entire state is full of diverse and beautiful flora and fauna species and among the flora, the Michigan wildflowers stand out as particularly special. Spread the pods to dry or place them in a brown paper bag and shake them often. If you want to save Indian paintbrush seeds for later planting, harvest the pods as soon as they begin to appear dry and brown. Established plants require no further attention.ĭo not fertilize Indian paintbrush. Thereafter, Indian paintbrush is relatively drought-tolerant and needs only occasional watering. Keep the soil consistently moist for the first year, but don’t let the soil become soggy or waterlogged. Clip the blooms as soon as they wilt if you don’t want the plant to reseed itself. The plant is slow to germinate and may not make an appearance for as long as three or four months.Ĭolonies of Indian paintbrush will eventually develop if you help the plant by planting seeds every autumn.
Plant seeds when the soil is between 55 and 65 degrees F. Indian paintbrush needs full sunlight and well-drained soil. The plant doesn’t do well in a manicured formal garden and has the best chance of success in a prairie or wildflower meadow with other native plants. Growing Indian paintbrush is tricky, but it isn’t impossible. Indian paintbrush tolerates cold winters, but it doesn’t perform well in the warmer climates of USDA zones 8 and above. This is because Indian paintbrush sends roots out to the other plants, then penetrates the roots and “borrows” nutrients it needs in order to survive. This unpredictable wildflower grows when it is planted in close proximity with other plants, primarily grasses or native plants such as penstemon or blue-eyed grass.
However, if conditions are right, Indian paintbrush reseeds itself every autumn. The plant is short-lived and dies after it sets seed. Indian paintbrush is a biennial plant that usually develops rosettes the first year and stalks of blooms in spring or early summer of the second year. About the Indian PaintbrushĪlso known as Castilleja, Indian paintbrush wildflowers grow in forest clearings and grasslands across the western and southwestern United States. Growing this wildflower can add interest to the native garden. Indian paintbrush flowers are named for the clusters of spiky blooms that resemble paintbrushes dipped in bright red or orange-yellow paint.
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