Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Ragin Cajun Indian Pink: Hummingbird Color for the Woodland Edge
Save
Ragin Cajun Indian pink is a selection of the North American native Spigelia marilandica, found growing wild in Louisiana. Its upright tubular flowers are orange-red rather than the usual blood red, and each one opens at the tip into a small yellow star. It is reported to carry about a third more flower heads than other forms, which the hummingbirds notice right away.
Ragin Cajun at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Spigelia marilandica 'Ragin Cajun' |
| Flowers | Orange-red tubes, 1.5 to 2 inches long, with yellow star-shaped tips |
| Foliage | Glossy green, opposite leaves |
| Size | 20 to 24 inches tall and wide |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks late June |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 6 to 9 |
| Light | Part shade to full sun with steady moisture |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators, a hummingbird favorite |
A companion for the other side of the garden
Lavender wants dry, sunny, lean ground. Indian pink grew up in humid southeastern woodlands and wants the opposite: humus-rich soil that stays evenly moist and a bit of shade. So it is not a bed-mate. It is a partner for the edge where your sunny lavender planting gives way to trees, or a shaded path you walk past on the way to the lavender.
The timing is a nice bonus. Ragin Cajun opens in early June, often just before English lavender peaks, so hummingbirds working the shady edge in June will find the lavender and other sun plants nearby a few weeks later. Plan the shady and sunny beds together in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting the bare root plant
Ragin Cajun arrives as a dormant bare root plant. Plant it in spring in average to rich soil, with the crown just at the soil surface, and water it in well. It is slow to establish, so do not judge it by its first summer. Once settled, it is long-lived and returns for years.
Care through the year
- Light: part shade is easiest. More sun brings heavier bloom but needs more water, and afternoon shade helps in hot spots.
- Water: keep the soil evenly moist, but never waterlogged, which can cause root rot.
- Deadheading: not needed, since flowers drop cleanly. Cutting back spent heads can bring a light rebloom.
- Pests: slugs may chew young shoots in spring.
- Winter: it is rated to zone 6, so in colder parts of Michigan give it a sheltered site and mulch the crown once the ground freezes. Check your zone with the USDA Zone Finder.
Frequently asked questions
It has not come up yet. Is it dead?
Probably not. Indian pink is one of the last perennials to emerge in spring. Mark its spot in fall so you do not dig into it by mistake.
Is it safe to have around kids and pets?
It is an ornamental, not grown for eating, and the plant, especially the root, is considered toxic. Plant it where it will not be nibbled.
Can I cut it for bouquets?
It is only fair as a cut flower. It is happiest left in the garden for the hummingbirds.
Share how it went in your field