Winecup (Callirhoe involucrata)
Winecup is a striking groundcover, with magenta flowers that bloom starting in late spring into the fall. The foliage is also attractive, with deep cuts in the leaves. Winecup will spread up to about 3′ wide, and the flowers are held on stems up to about a foot tall, so it looks lovely draped over a rock wall or with the flowers poking up through other plantings. Plant do form deep taproots, making them drought tolerant, but are difficult to transplant once established. Winecup is a host plant for the gray hairstreak butterfly. If deer or rabbits are an issue in your area, we recommend interplanting with Alliums or other non-palatable plants to deter them.
Natural habitat: Rocky prairies, fields
Light requirements: Full sun
Soil requirements: Average to dry, rocky soil; well-draining
USDA hardiness: Zones 4-9
Height: 6″-12″
Spacing: 18″-24″
Wildlife value: Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
Deer resistance: Not resistant
Rabbit resistance: Not resistant
Germination requirements
Hot water treatment; 30 CMS
Winecup seeds require a hot water treatment followed by 30 days of cold moist stratification (abbreviated CMS in many reference guides). Stratification is the process of pre-treating seeds to mimic their natural cycles in an artificial setting.
For hot water treatment, place seeds in a heat-safe dish. Bring water to a boil, then pour over seeds to cover. Allow seeds to come to room temperature and continue to soak for 24 hours. Seed can then be planted or you can start the 30 days CMS.
Cold moist stratification can be achieved by sowing the seeds in your planting medium, gently watering them in, and setting them outside for a minimum of 30 days of temperatures consistently below 40 degrees. They will germinate when the soil warms up in spring. Alternatively, you can mix the seeds with a small amount of moist (not wet) sand, perlite, or vermiculite in a plastic baggie and place it in a refrigerator for 30 days. After chilling the seeds for 60 days, sow them by spreading out the contents of the baggie on the surface of your medium and gently watering them in.
You must be logged in to post a comment.