Hamelia patens

Photo by John Lampkin. Photograph belongs to the photographer who allows use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 9A 9B 

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Firebush

Rubiaceae

Plant Specifics

Size:to 20 ft tall by to 10 ft wide
Life Span:Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:Red
Fruit Color:Black
Phenology:Semi-evergreen. Blooms all year unless they freeze back.
Habitats:Dry sites. Coastal forests, upland forests, hammocks.

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:Specimen or hedge plant. Also works well in informal background thickets.
Light: Full Sun,  Part Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
Moisture Tolerance: Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray Tolerance:Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil/Substrate:Loam, Sand

Wildlife

humminbirdbirdanimalcaterpillarbutterflypollinator

Birds and small mammals eat the fruits and disperse seeds.

Hummingbirds come for nectar

Larval host for the pluto sphinx moth

Butterflies, noted for attracting zebrawing 

Attracts long-tongued bees including bumblebees.