Streptanthella: A Lesser-Known Native Wildflower for Western Gardens
If you’re looking to add some authentic western flair to your native plant garden, you might want to get acquainted with streptanthella (Streptanthella). This understated member of the mustard family might not win any flashy flower contests, but it brings genuine regional character to naturalized landscapes across the American West.
What is Streptanthella?
Streptanthella is a native forb – basically a non-woody flowering plant that dies back to the ground each year or completes its life cycle in one to two seasons. As an annual or biennial, it won’t stick around forever in one spot, but it often self-seeds to maintain its presence in suitable locations.
Being part of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), streptanthella produces small, typically four-petaled flowers that may seem modest at first glance but play an important role in supporting local ecosystems.
Where Does Streptanthella Grow Naturally?
This western native has quite an impressive range, naturally occurring across eleven states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. That’s a lot of varied terrain, from desert valleys to mountain slopes!
Why Consider Growing Streptanthella?
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit challenging. While streptanthella is undoubtedly a legitimate native choice for western gardens, detailed cultivation information is surprisingly scarce. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it just means you’re working with a plant that’s more wild at heart than domesticated.
The main reasons to consider streptanthella include:
- True regional native status – It belongs in western landscapes
- Low-maintenance nature – As a native adapted to diverse western conditions
- Wildlife support – Small flowers likely attract native pollinators and beneficial insects
- Authentic wildflower garden component – Adds genuine local character
The Challenge: Limited Growing Information
Here’s the honest truth about streptanthella: specific growing guides are about as rare as hen’s teeth. This suggests it’s not commonly cultivated, which could mean a few things. It might be quite particular about its growing conditions, difficult to establish from seed, or simply overlooked in favor of showier native alternatives.
Best Guess Growing Conditions
Based on its native range across the western states, streptanthella likely prefers:
- Well-draining soils (essential for most western natives)
- Full sun to partial shade
- Low to moderate water requirements once established
- Cool season growing periods (typical for annual/biennial mustard family members)
Should You Try Growing Streptanthella?
If you’re an adventurous native plant gardener who enjoys experimenting with lesser-known species, streptanthella could be worth a try – especially if you can source seeds from a reputable native plant supplier in your region. However, if you’re looking for reliable, well-documented native plants, you might want to start with better-known western natives and come back to streptanthella once you’ve gained more experience.
For those determined to try, your best bet is likely direct seeding in fall or early spring, mimicking natural germination timing. Choose a spot with good drainage and be patient – this isn’t a plant that’s likely to give you instant gratification.
The Bottom Line
Streptanthella represents the wild, undomesticated side of native gardening. It’s authentic, regionally appropriate, and ecologically valuable, but it’s also somewhat mysterious in terms of cultivation requirements. Whether that makes it intriguing or frustrating probably depends on your gardening personality!
If you do decide to experiment with streptanthella, consider it part of a broader native plant palette rather than a starring player. And hey, if you succeed in growing it, you’ll have bragging rights as someone who’s cultivated one of the West’s lesser-known native wildflowers.
