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Dichelostemma ida-maia

Common Name(s):

Description

The firecracker flower is a flowering, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the asparagus family native to the woods, coastal grasslands, and mountainous regions of California and Oregon.  It has showy red flowers that hang in clusters off a single stalk with a few grass-like leaves at the base of the plant. The flowering stem is generally curved or twisted (not straight). When this wildflower blooms surrounding grasses are maturing and turning brown, thus the plant signals the beginning of summer. It is the only species in the genus that is pollinated by birds.

The firecracker flower prefers full sun and and is easy to grow in dry, well-drained soil in full sun. However, it is a hardy plant that can tolerate poor soil, shade and drought. The plants must be given a dry summer dormancy and should be planted in the ground or in a deep enough pot to provide good room for roots. The plant will spread in time to form colonies from bulbs or seed. Note that when grown from seed, it can take several months before seedlings appear.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#drought tolerant#red flowers#low maintenance#herbaceous perennial#cutting garden#pollinator plant#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#poor soils tolerant#border front#flowers early summer#walkway planting#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly#container plant#flowering bulb#patio#dense
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#drought tolerant#red flowers#low maintenance#herbaceous perennial#cutting garden#pollinator plant#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#poor soils tolerant#border front#flowers early summer#walkway planting#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly#container plant#flowering bulb#patio#dense
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dichelostemma
    Species:
    ida-maia
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southwest Oregon to Northwest California
    Distribution:
    California, Oregon
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts hummingbirds and bees
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers bloom from May to July in open umbels of several pendant, long tubular flowers with a crimson red tube and short green reflexed tips.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Tall and thin.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil