Sarracenia x catesbaei (Pitcher Plant)

Sarracenia x catesbaei (Pitcher Plant) is a carnivorous perennial prized for its upright, stout, slender-fluted pitchers adorned with red-veined, green, or purple hoods. Variable in color, the pitchers may be deep reddish purple to yellow with red veins, gradually changing to maroon. Blooming in spring, before new pitchers fully develop, the flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), are brick red and fragrant. Sarracenia x catesbaei is a naturally occurring hybrid pitcher, resulting from a cross between S. purpurea and S. flava. Native from Virginia to Florida, it can be found in sandy bogs, wet seeps, and savannas in coastal plain areas. Vigorous, it tends to form large colonies. The pitcher Plant is very effective at trapping and killing insects. Lured by the attractive leaf color, insects that land on the lids get paralyzed by the nectar. They fall down into a digestive fluid at the bottom of the pitcher where they will decompose and nutrients get absorbed. This plant is best grown in the consistently moist soils of a bog garden or in containers. It is a great addition to the neutral to acid water garden.

• Grows up to 12-18 in. tall and wide (30-45 cm).
• Thrives in full sun to part shade in consistently moist to wet, acid soil. Irrigate with lime-free water and do not fertilize plantings. Soils must never dry out, but plant crowns should not sit for prolonged periods in water. Mulch with pine needles in winter to protect plants from cold temperatures.
• Generally disease free. Keep an eye out for scale insects, mealybugs, aphids, and tortrix moths.
• Propagate by seed or division.
• Native to the southeastern United States.