It closely resembles the perennial sort, C. grandiflora, which has no markings in the flowers and narrow leaves, whereas C. drummondi has quite oval leaflets. Height 18 inches. There are many varieties of this brilliant species. The flowers are yellow, usually smaller than those of the first named sort, but they are marked with large blotches of mahogany, chestnut, crimson, garnet and purple. Height 1 foot to 3 feet, according to the variety.
Calliopsis is an excellent flower for massing in an annual border.
The flowers are useful for cutting because of the long stems. The dwarf, bushy varieties are good edging plants. Many varieties of C. tinctoria are slender in growth and may be set out among the lower growing annuals. The intensely brilliant flowers borne upon their tall, slender stems, dance in the breeze as though not supported at all. Generally the seed of Calliopsis is sown in the Fall or earliest Spring where the plants are to bloom and the seedlings thinned to stand 8 inches to 12 inches apart.