Applie Slices Spigelia has dark wine red flowers that are popular with the hummingbirds.
Close up of the deep red flowers of the Apple Slices Spigelia.
Apple Slices Spigelia in front of a hosta.
Proven Winners logo
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Applie Slices Spigelia has dark wine red flowers that are popular with the hummingbirds.
Close up of the deep red flowers of the Apple Slices Spigelia.
Apple Slices Spigelia in front of a hosta.
Proven Winners logo
All media depicts mature plants.

'Apple Slices' Spigelia

Perennial

  • Bright red, tubular flowers attract hummingbirds & other pollinators! 
  • Native perennial for low-maintenance gardens. 
  • Great deer-resistant perennial for borders & containers.
  • Zones 5-9, sun to part sun, 18-22" tall and wide at maturity.
  • ZONE
  • EXPOSURE
  • HEIGHT

More info on plant sizes

Size: One Quart
$25.00
Sale: $25.00 Each
Total: $25.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee

Description

Typically found along the streambanks of the Eastern United States, 'Apple Slices' spigelia (or Spigelia marilandica) from Proven Winners is highly sought after by pollinators and gardeners. Why? It has tubular scarlet red flowers that attract hummingbirds, an easy-growing nature, and is adaptable to sun and shade. While spigelias aren't well known, we think that needs to change. It's a great perennial for beginner gardens or experienced gardeners who want a low-maintenance landscape since its flowers are self-cleaning and require minimal trimming.

The flashy red blooms add a glamorous touch to any cottage garden, and they fit in perfectly with modern or eclectic gardening styles. This native wildflower is versatile and can grow in either sun or shade with moist soils. Try planting as a border to brighten any landscape, or add to a pollinator garden for a fantastic pop of color.

Details

Botanical name: Spigelia marilandica 'Apple Slices'
Common name: Spigelia
Zone: 5-9
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun), Part Sun (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Height x width: 18-22" X 18"
Flower color: Red
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Spring, summer
Bloom time: Late spring, midsummer
Features: Proven Winners, native, container plant, deer resistant, specimen
Uses: Border, Cottage gardening, Pollinator garden, Massing, Cut flower, Specimen, Native gardens

How to Grow

Soil: Average, well-drained soil. Prefers moist soil full of organic matter. Tolerant of wet soil.
Light: Can be grown in full shade but displays best flowers under full sun to part sun.
Water: Average
Spacing: 1.5 - 2 ft apart
Fertilizing: None required; if desired, apply a granular garden fertilizer in early spring.
Winterizing:No special care is needed.
Maintenance & pruning: Remove dead or damaged foliage in spring. Lightly prune after initial blooming period. Divide in spring, we do not recommend transplanting once this plant is fully established.

Pollinator-Friendly Perennials to Keep Your Garden Buzzing

Pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystems, gardens, and especially our food chain. Flowers produce pollen as a means of reproduction. While there are so many pollinator-friendly plants to choose from, here are seven of our favorites. You’ll love them, and the pollinators will too

Learn more

Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:

bush distance

Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:

bush distance zigzag

Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.

Plant Spacing Calculator

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  • 5 stars: 4 (36%)
  • 4 stars: 3 (27%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 2 (18%)
  • 1 star: 2 (18%)
K
K. (Maryland)
Delightful Encore

Like another reviewer, I was hoping the "Apple Slices", especially the weakest plant, would survive the winter. GGP suggested a deep mulch which worked for the two stronger plants. They are growing well after a hiatus during our hottest weather. In fact, they just finished a second flush of beautiful red with yellow flowers, much to my surprise and delight. If the third plant had survived I would give a 5 star review.

We’re sorry you’re having trouble with one of your plants! Our fall guarantee covers plants received after September 1 until May 2026, so we have you covered. We ask that customers please send us your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We are always here to help! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee

C
C. (Arizona)

2 broke off at soil line when planting not sure what issue was

Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee

J
J. (Pennsylvania)
Plants arrived in good shape

2 of the 3 were bigger and had well-developed roots and I think they’ll do well over the winter. One was smaller, so I’m not sure how it will do, but I’m glad the warranty will cover its replacement if it doesn’t.

K
K.D. (Michigan)
Apple Slices Spigelia on arrival.

Puny size yet healthy looking.

We’re sorry you’re not satisfied with your plants! On each product page and our plant sizes page, we note that all of our plants are young. The size of our plants varies depending on the time of year and whether they were recently trimmed. The most important thing when purchasing plants, online or in garden centers, is a full and robust root system, which we prioritize. Trimming only encourages stronger root development! Our fall guarantee covers plants received after September 1 until May 2026, so we have you covered. Please send your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee

W
W. (New York)
Excellent Choice

I never heard of this plant but from the description and it being a fit with the location it desires and growing zone, I thought I would give it a try. I love it. This is my 4th order from this company and the plants always arrive very healthy and take off in the garden after planting.

K
K. (Maryland)
Deliciously lovely Apple Slices

Very healthy little plants arrived in blooming and in excellent condition. They continue to bloom and are sprouting new shoots. Hope they survive the winter.

G
G. (Wisconsin)
did not over winter

Sadly this plant did not over winter. It arrived healthy but small.

Hello! We’re sorry you’re having trouble with your plants. All of our orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, but outside of that timeframe, we cannot be responsible for the care of your plants. If you’d like to talk to our customer service team, you can reach them at [email protected]. Happy gardening!

S
S.M. (North Carolina)
Apple Slices Spigelia

Healthy plants but one had a cracked container when I received it. Didn’t think too much about it but when I planted the one in that cracked container the roots seperated from the foliage. I lost one plant because of the complete crack in that container.

Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee

P
P.C. (Utah)
Great healthy plants

Order came on time in great healthy condition

K
K.K. (Nevada)
Dead plants

Disappointed

We're sorry you're having trouble with your plants. Our team of horticulture experts would love to take a closer look! Please contact us at [email protected] with your order number and photos of the plants so we can better assist you. All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee

M
M.C. (Massachusetts)
Red Flowers

Arrived in good shape. Can’t wait to see how beautiful they are next year!

J
J.S.

In columbia, Md.,//Baltimore, Md - when can you plant these plants?
How long do they bloom??

Great Garden Plants

Spring is a great time for planting! The rule of thumb for spring planting is to get the plants in the ground once the threat of frost has passed and the ground has become workable. If you are not sure when your average last frost is, you can read our article explaining frost dates here: https://blog.greatgardenplants.com/frost-dates-explained-gardening-for-each-zone-in-spring-fall/

P
P.

Do you have butterfly plants or bush?

Great Garden Plants

Yes, we do! You can find our selection of butterfly bushes here:
https://www.greatgardenplants.com/collections/shrubs-trees-butterfly-bush

J
J.W.

Are they deer resistant?

Great Garden Plants

Hi there! Yes, 'Apple Slices' Spigelia is deer resistant.

M
M.H.

When is the best time to plant these?

Great Garden Plants

Hi! Fall is a fantastic time for planting shrubs, trees, and perennials because the cooler temperatures and shorter days mean less water stress for the plant, and that means less work for you in terms of watering and monitoring your new plants. Just make sure to plant at least 6 weeks before the first hard frost in your area.