Spigelia marilandica 'Little Redhead'

Sizes available: #1 (Trade gallon)

Basics: zones 5-9, 24" x 18", full sun to part shade, bright tomato red, tubular flowers with starry yellow centers in early to mid-summer, prefers consistent moisture in the sunniest positions, wants good drainage, and drought tolerant once established

Common names: Woodland Pinkroot, Indian Pink, Worm-Grass

Family: Loganiaceae

Origin/Distribution: This is a vegetatively propagated cultivar of a native species that is found from Kentucky to southern Illinois and Missouri, south to Florida and east to Texas.

Habitat: lightly shaded woodland, wood's edge, open woodland, well-drained stream edges

More: I offered this plant in 2024 and was curious as to its winter hardiness here. Even in our wet winter that year customer reports indicate that it did well and bloomed beautifully for them in 2025. Hummingbirds are a primary pollinator of the species. If you are a fan of red flowers, a border of this with Monarda didyma and Lobelia cardinalis behind would be pretty stunning if you could juggle everyone's moisture requirements. In full sun, I think that would be quite possible, especially pond side, where the shorter Spigelia could be at the top of a bank (given it's own area as it does not like to be overwhelmed by other plants) and the Lobelia and Monarda planted closer to the water. Spigelia marilandica is endangered in its native range. It has been used medicinally as the common name Worm-Grass suggests, however sometimes to ill effect, so proceed with caution.

Nursery: Van Berkum

Image credits: Van Berkum Nursery, this image is a bit melodramatic as to density of flowers, but it does give you a good sense of the flower form.