Dicliptera squarrosa
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Dicliptera suberecta
- Jacobinia suberecta
- Justicia suberecta
- Phonetic Spelling
- dye-CLIP-ter-uh skwa-RO-suh
- Description
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The Hummingbird plant is a tender herbaceous perennial, though often grown as an annual. It is native to central South America and will bring a vibrant burst of color to your garden. Its vibrant orange/red flowers blossom throughout the summer and into the autumn months. It is drought tolerant and endures humidity, making this an ideal plant for many areas which have such conditions. It typically forms a shrubby mound 18 to 24 inches tall and as wide. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, hence the sometimes common name of hummingbird plant. The genus name is from the Greek diklis meaning double-folding and pteron meaning wing in reference to the two wing-like divisions in the capsule. The species name means with parts spreading or recurved at the ends.
The Hummingbird plant is easy to grow in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. It tolerates some light shade and drought and is winter hardy to Zones 8-10 and with mulch protection, can tolerate temperatures down to 0 degrees F. It can also be grown in containers or hanging baskets. You can also take cuttings that can be overwintered indoors and planted in the spring. This amazing, showstopper plant attracts not just the human eye but also hummingbirds and butterflies, which only adds more the attraction and beauty of this plant. This firecracker-looking plant will be the fire you will not want to put out but enjoy for many years as a showstopper in your garden.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Colorful Borders
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dicliptera
- Species:
- squarrosa
- Family:
- Acanthaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Peru to Brazil and Northern Argentina
- Distribution:
- Introduced into Italy
- Wildlife Value:
- Hummingbird and butterfly attractor.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is moderately salt tolerant; heat, drought
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Two wing-like capsules.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers occur in terminal clusters from July to September and are two-lipped, tubular, bright reddish-orange flowers (1-3/4 inches long)
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dicliptera squarrosa has leaves that are soft, fuzzy, light grey/green, and about 3 inches long. Leaves are opposite but then switch the other direction for the next layer (but are still opposite each other).
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Salt
