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Firebush Hamelia patens

Phonetic Spelling
ham-EE-lee-uh PAT-ens
Description

Hamelia patens is a frost-tender perennial shrub or small tree that is typically grown as an annual, either directly in the soil or in containers that can be taken indoors during the winter. It can be drought-tolerant once established as a perennial in zone 9 or above but prefers regular moisture when grown as an annual. It flowers best in full sun and does best in high heat similar to its native tropical range. 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#heat tolerant#nectar plant#salt tolerant#cottage garden#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#tropical feel#container plant#patio#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#heat tolerant#nectar plant#salt tolerant#cottage garden#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#tropical feel#container plant#patio#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hamelia
    Species:
    patens
    Family:
    Rubiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Florida, West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America
    Distribution:
    Florida to Argentina
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds eat the berries. Adult food source for Pluto Sphinx moth.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
  • 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
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    small dark red berry turning black at maturity
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Tubular orange-red to red flowers appear in terminal clusters
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    oval, gray-green leaves with pinkish veins. Leaves turn red in fall.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Salt