When does Coast Fiddleneck bloom?

Coast fiddleneck typically flowers from April through June, with curled clusters of small yellow-orange, funnel-shaped blossoms opening along the coiled stem tips.

What pollinators visit Coast Fiddleneck?

Bees and butterflies are the most frequent visitors, foraging on the tubular yellow-orange flowers during the spring bloom period.

What growing conditions does Coast Fiddleneck need?

It does best in full sun with low water, growing well on dry, open slopes, grasslands, and disturbed roadside areas.

Is Coast Fiddleneck easy to grow in a home garden?

It is fairly low maintenance once established, since it tolerates dry soil and full sun and needs little supplemental watering in appropriate climates.

Is Coast Fiddleneck HOA-friendly?

Coast Fiddleneck takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Coast Fiddleneck

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Amsinckia intermedia

Last reviewed: August 2026

Coast fiddleneck is a bristly annual forb that blooms yellow-orange from April through June in full sun on dry slopes and open grasslands. It tolerates low water conditions and draws bees and butterflies.

Coast Fiddleneck (Amsinckia intermedia) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

8"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 7 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Amsinckia intermedia is a low-growing annual wildflower with small orange or yellow blooms that appear in spring and early summer. This native forb thrives in full sun with minimal water. It naturally reseeds and fills in open areas with its compact, spreading growth habit.

Growing Coast Fiddleneck

Grow Coast Fiddleneck in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 8 to 24 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Coast Fiddleneck takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Annual growth pattern creates gaps and inconsistent coverage
Can appear weedy or unkempt to conventional gardeners
Small flowers and informal growth habit lack ornamental appeal

Wildlife value

Host plant for painted lady butterfly.

The flowers provide nectar for native bees and butterflies during the critical spring pollinator season. As an early bloomer, it offers important food sources when few other plants are flowering.

Common questions

When does Coast Fiddleneck bloom?: Coast fiddleneck typically flowers from April through June, with curled clusters of small yellow-orange, funnel-shaped blossoms opening along the coiled stem tips.
What pollinators visit Coast Fiddleneck?: Bees and butterflies are the most frequent visitors, foraging on the tubular yellow-orange flowers during the spring bloom period.
What growing conditions does Coast Fiddleneck need?: It does best in full sun with low water, growing well on dry, open slopes, grasslands, and disturbed roadside areas.
Is Coast Fiddleneck easy to grow in a home garden?: It is fairly low maintenance once established, since it tolerates dry soil and full sun and needs little supplemental watering in appropriate climates.
Is Coast Fiddleneck toxic to dogs?: Coast Fiddleneck is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Coast Fiddleneck toxic to cats?: Coast Fiddleneck is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Coast Fiddleneck HOA-friendly?: Coast Fiddleneck takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

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