| I have just purchased a plant called a hummingbird plant with the scientific name Hamelia patens. I cannot find any information on it. Could you please help? |
| The most common name of Hamelia patens is Firebush. This plant loves the heat, and in fact is not interested in growing much until the weather warms up a bit in late spring. Give it plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil. Hummingbirds love the tubular orange blooms. You will find that the cooler fall weather give a nice reddish tint to the leaves too. In the southern half of Texas it is a dependable perennial, returning from the roots later on spring as the weather warms. In your area it may survive the winter and come back if you cut it back after the first freeze kills the above ground parts of the plant, and then mulch it well with leaves and/or pine needles. Enjoy your new Hamelia! |
