When does Wight's Paintbrush bloom?

Castilleja wightii typically blooms from June through August, producing its characteristic bright red bracts during the summer months.

What pollinators visit Wight's Paintbrush?

This native paintbrush attracts both hummingbirds and bees. The tubular flowers and bright red color are particularly appealing to hummingbirds.

Where is Castilleja wightii native?

Wight's Paintbrush is native to California and Oregon, where it grows in various habitats including meadows and open woodlands.

Is Wight's Paintbrush HOA-friendly?

Wight's Paintbrush is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Wight's Paintbrush

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Castilleja wightii

Last reviewed: August 2026

Castilleja wightii (Wight's Paintbrush) is a native wildflower found in California and Oregon that blooms from June through August with bright red bracts that attract hummingbirds and bees.

Wight's Paintbrush (Castilleja wightii) — Photo: (c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

4"–16" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

CA, OR

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 437 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains

Wight's paintbrush is a low-growing native wildflower with colorful bracts that create striking red-orange flower displays. This compact perennial forms neat clumps and blooms reliably through summer months. It adds vibrant color to native plant gardens while maintaining a tidy, controlled appearance.

Growing Wight's Paintbrush

Grow Wight's Paintbrush in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 4 to 16 inches tall and spread 4 to 12 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Wight's Paintbrush is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.

May be unfamiliar to traditionalist neighbors
Requires established native plant context

Wildlife value

The bright tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and native bees during its long summer blooming period. Its compact size makes it an excellent pollinator plant for smaller garden spaces.

Common questions

When does Wight's Paintbrush bloom?: Castilleja wightii typically blooms from June through August, producing its characteristic bright red bracts during the summer months.
What pollinators visit Wight's Paintbrush?: This native paintbrush attracts both hummingbirds and bees. The tubular flowers and bright red color are particularly appealing to hummingbirds.
Where is Castilleja wightii native?: Wight's Paintbrush is native to California and Oregon, where it grows in various habitats including meadows and open woodlands.
Is Wight's Paintbrush HOA-friendly?: Wight's Paintbrush is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

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

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Wight's Paintbrush? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz