Red Feathers
Pontechium maculatum
Red Feathers (Pontechium maculatum) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12–18 in tall and 10–14 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Plume-like spikes of rose-red flowers; biennial that reseeds reliably.
Plant Select®low water12–18 in tall and 10–14 in wideXeric / water-wiseZones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: Pipi69e, Wikimedia Commons (PD)
- Photo 2: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 3: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 4: (c) Bobo-X, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 5: (c) Bobo-X, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 12–18 in tall and 10–14 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10–14 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- red, pink
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Planting & establishment
Deep water every 1–2 weeks during establishment (first growing season), then water sparingly per Plant Select guidance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Red Feathers good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Red Feathers is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Red Feathers get?
- It matures to about 12–18 in tall and 10–14 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Red Feathers?
- Space Red Feathers about 10 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 14 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Red Feathers hardy on the Front Range?
- Red Feathers is hardy in USDA 5–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Red Feathers need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Red Feathers native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Red Feathers deer-resistant?
- Red Feathers is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Red Feathers a good firewise plant near the house?
- Red Feathers is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Red Feathers bloom?
- Red Feathers blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
