by Lydia Holley September 28, 2020
Autumn brings new wonders to the landscape. Grasses start shooting up their ornamental plumes, roses begin another flush of blooms, surprise lilies open in glorious displays, and the firebush is in full bloom, attracting hummingbirds as they start their migration southward.
Firebush (Hamelia patens) is native to Florida, so you can imagine it loves hot weather and well-draining soil. It grows in full sun or part shade. It is also not picky about its soil, growing in sand, clay, acidic or alkaline earth. If placed in full sun, it does appreciate a bit of shade from the hot afternoon sun.
Although it may be evergreen in Florida, in East Texas, firebush will freeze to the ground each winter, sprouting up late in the season to grow into a bush around six feet tall in the sun, a little shorter in shade. Rated a zone nine plant by many sites, some rate it zone eight, which makes more sense to me. When I first planted mine, I was skeptical whether it would return, but it has been reliable for several years. Protection from cold winter winds by surrounding plantings will also help. Although, if we get another super cold winter as we do every so often, I expect it may have to be replaced.
Firebush has a number of common names, such as scarlet bush, hummingbird bush, Texas firebush, firecracker shrub, or Mexican firecracker. I am not certain how it gained the name Texas firebush since it is not native here, but firecracker bush makes sense since the flowers are long and resemble red firecrackers.
Firebush can be grown in a large pot, but you should place the container in a sheltered place during winter. It could also work in a mixed shrub border. If you add a firebush to your landscape, you – and your hummingbirds – just might get fired up about it.
Henderson County Master Gardener Association provides multiple resources at its website: https://txmg.org/hendersonmg/ or direct questions by calling the county extension office at 903-675-6130.
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