Botanical Name: Hamelia Patens
Common Name: Firebush
Other Common Names: Scarlet Bush, African Fire Bush, Mexican Firebush
| Plant Family | Matter |
| Mature Size | 10'x10 + |
| Growth Habit | Large Upright Shrub |
| Bloom Color | Orange Red |
| Bloom Form | Clusters, trumpet shaped tubules |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to early winter |
| Water Needs | Moderate until well established |
| Light Needs | Full Sun to Light Shade |
| Zones | 9, 10, 11 |
| Key Features | Very Showy Bloom, Easy to grow |
| Suggested Uses | Boundary, Mixed Perinneals, Specimen |
Sometimes when you say 'native', a lot of Floridians will turn up their nose and think 'weed', even though 'native' is very much the politically correct thing to plant through out the state at present, and most Florida counties have adopted requirements that at least a portion of all new installations be native.
Firebush, however, is a grand exception to the 'weedy' reputation that many natives have. It grows lush and full and is always nearly covered with bright scarlet orange/yellow tubular flowers that hummingbirds and butterflies cannot resist. Birds enjoy the berry that follows the flower. It is a great plant for any area where you like to draw in the wildlife, as many critters find the flowers and the berry irresistible.
In southern Florida, firebush is an evergreen, and will reach heights of more than 15 ft. tall. Elsewhere in more temperate climates, it is grown as an annual and only gets about 2 ft. tall. The leaves will turn deep bronze red in the fall. In Zones 8 & 9 it dies back to ground in the winter and re-sprouts in the spring. North of Zone 8 it should be pot grown and wintered over indoors.
Firebush will grow in a wide range of soil conditions and does not require much care. It needs irrigation until it becomes established, but then is quite drought tolerant. It does best in full sun, but will tolerate the shade, just taking on a more leggy open habit and produces fewer blooms.
It makes a great border, background or screen plantings in mass, or is a great stand alone accent, or makes a knock out patio tree.
Indians in the tropics are said to have used the berry for various medicinal uses such as antibiotics and modern researchers are now investigating it for other treatments. A word of caution however, individual sensitivity and tolerance to plants can vary widely. We recommend you always treat all ornamental plants as toxic unless you have done your own research to determine they are safe and edible.
Click here to check your zone. National Arboretum - USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Scarlet Bush - African Fire Bush
Mexican Firebush - Firebush
Updating...
