Description
Form: A shrub with a casual, unkempt appearance.
Leaf retention: Drought-deciduous.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast depending on water.
Mature Size: typically 2-4' (0.6-1.2m) high and wide but can reach over 6' (1.8m).
Flowers: Red, orange, or yellow, tubular, to 1.5" (3.8cm) long, with a small flared upper lip and a long, narrow, downward or backward curved, lower lip. This flower is edible; the nectar is said to have a cucumber-like flavor.
Bloom: Fall, winter, and spring.
Fruit: Seed capsule.
Leaves: Green, ovate to heart-shaped, often dropped during drought.
Stems: Blue-green, thick like a succulent, arching, sprawling, no thorns. The stems may get woody at bottom with age.
Roots: This plant spreads by rhizomes.
Wildlife: The flowers attract hummingbirds, and small birds, which bite off the petals and eat the nectar-filled bases.
Toxic / Danger: No.
Origin: California, Arizona, and Mexico.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 8-10. This plant may die to the ground in hard freezes and come back from its roots.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Drought tolerant: Four to six weeks depending on the extent of its root system. In the wild it is found next to dry washes.
Sun: Full sun to part shade.
Soil: Well draining, dry, possibly rocky, pH 6.6-8.5 (neutral to alkaline).
Water once established: Once a month to weekly depending on appearance. This plant withstands temporary flooding.
First Year Care: Water every one or two days to establish an extensive root system. Taper off water starting six weeks prior to the first freeze date in fall. Do not irrigate in winter when freezing temperatures are possible.
Prune: After the spring bloom, remove damaged or diseased stems and trim to shape.
Litter: Low.
Propagation: Seed.
Uses: Ornamental, hummingbird garden. The flowers can be used in salads.

Comments
This plant is a member of the Acanthus family (Acanthaceae). Other common names are Hummingbird Bush and Beloperone.

---

Do you have additional information or a different experience for these plants that you would like to share? Email info@GardenOracle.com. All contributions are welcome and appreciated.