A favorite with hummingbirds

Here’s a lovely little treasure that’s native to the Texas Hill Country and southwest into Mexico. Those are hot territories, and it’s up to the task. And it thrives in the challenging soils of the area as well.

What you’ll want to know…
• Common name: Flame acanthus, hummingbird bush.

• Scientific name: Anisacanthus quadrifidus wrightii.

• Mature height: 4-5 ft., shorter toward DFW where it generally freezes to the ground and starts over each spring.

• Best area of adaptation: From I-20 corridor, south.

• Sun/shade preference: Full sun.

• Soil preference: Native to alkaline, rocky outcroppings.

• Moisture preference: Tolerates droughts, but grows best with steady water supplies.

• Flowering period: All summer and fall. Catches fall hummingbird migration perfectly.

• Flower description: Small, tubular vivid red flowers.

• Best landscape uses: As singular clumps or combined with perennials with similar needs (lantanas, Mexican bush sage, Mexican mint marigold, etc.).

Note: If you live in South Texas this plant can be bought and set out in fall. In colder areas, however, it would be better to plant it in spring so that it could become well established before its first winter.