I needed to get my family out of the house today for some fresh air. We took a picnic to the Dothan Botanical Gardens (Alabama), and found we had the place almost entirely to ourselves. Was great to have some fresh air and sunshine and effectively avoid crowds (don't worry, aside from the groundskeeper and the ticket office attendant, there was only one other visitor, and we all kept plenty of space apart...). Yay for social distancing AND pretty flowers/plants!

Anyway, they had a flower sale going on and I couldn't resist picking up a few items. Unfortunately, they weren't labeled, so I have no idea what they are called (or how to care for them). I acknowledge that bringing home "strange" plants that I only just met is very risque' behavior, but I'm a sucker for a pretty flower...

One of them is a waxy plant with some bright red flowers that I frequently see in offices and other in-door spaces.

The other is some sort of flowering bush that resembles a firecracker plant. I got it because it looks like something that hummingbirds would definitely like.

I could use some assistance naming them and getting advice on how to plant or pot them. Specifics on soil, water, and sunlight requirements are appreciated.

The first one is an Anthurium andreanum. The second 2 are Cuphea, also called Cigar Plant

The first is an Anthurium

The second is a Cigar Flower - Cuphea ignea

They are "very" tropical plants so they will not do well in your (and my) winters unless you treat them as annuals. Anthurium is z10 and the Cigar Plant is like a Z9 or higher. I planted the Cigar Plant here outside (z8a) in a protected location eons ago but that did not help, as it did not "return". I was hoping it would. Care instructions:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.c...

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/...

Maybe in z8b, the Cigar Plant might return.

Your anthurium will make a great houseplant if you give it bright light, adequate water and a little humidity. It can stay outside as a porch plant with temps from about 50-55 to 90.

The Cuphea I grow in my flowerbed here, in zone 9A, but we have actually had more like zone 10 winters the past 3 years. In zone 8A and B it would most likely be an annual, but I se you have it in that once pot, so it too can be treated the same way as your anthurium

#1 Flamingo Flower (Anthurium andraeanum)
#2 & #3 Firecracker Plant (Cuphea ignea)

Thanks everyone. I'm going to keep the anthurium inside and plan to put it in a terra cotta pot later today.

As for the Cigar plant, going to pot it and keep it outside near my hummingbird feeders. Our summer essentially starts today or tomorrow (temps expected around 90), and will run through late September. This past winter was very mild, so I think I might be able to keep it potted and just bring it inside. I'm even considering planting it and then keeping it covered and well mulched in winter to see if it will come back next spring.

Placed my cuphea in a large plastic planter two days ago. I drilled numerous 1/4" holes all around the base of the planter for drainage. Potted the plant with a mix of regular potting soil along with some local sand and some good draining mix for succulents. Had a hummingbird at the plant the very next day.
Now, just today, I noticed that its leaves are starting to curl and flip over and the flowers look droopy...

I think I may have the black thumb of death with flowers, becasue they all seem to be struggling right now...any ideas how I can ensure this one survives? I've watered it pretty thoroughly each day...maybe I shouldn't? It is in an area where it gets several hours of morning sun, followed by partial sun in the afternoon.

It might just be transplant shock ... but I'm curious as to the purpose of adding sand to the potting soil?

Every day is too much water. With your soil mix you can probably water 2 maybe 3 times a week. Stick your finger in the soil about an inch and if it's wet, don't water it.

Make sure your pot continues to drain. The sand will migrate to the bottom of the pot and try hard to clog the holes.

I figured some sand would assist in drainage...didn't go too heavy with it. Most of what is in the pot is regular potting mix.

We had a thunderstorm roll through this area earlier today and most of my outdoor plants, including the cigar plant, got drenched. I eventually pulled it under our porch, but it got a proper soaking prior to that. I now have it sitting in the sun to soak up some sunshine. Hopefully it'll spring back to shape.

Update: the anthurium is doing great. I potted it in a nice terra cotta pot that was slightly larger than its nursery pot, with some good soil. It lives on our kitchen counter top, directly in front of a window, where it gets morning sun. I water it each day or two. I see no leave discoloration and there appears to be plenty of new growth (leaves) springing up, so I guess I'm doing ok with this one.

As for the cuphea, I THINK it is ok. It did have a few branches and twigs that curled up and withered, but I trimmed them off. Now, the plant have nice looking leaves throughout with some flowers still in bloom. A few recent heavy rains and some high winds appear to have knocked off many of the blooms, though there is evidence of new growth.

I do regret adding the sand with this one, but I don't think I'll start over and risk "shocking" the plant again. At this point, I just ensure the drain holes are, in fact, draining periodically, by poking a rod up inside to ensure they aren't blocked. **I'd like to know if there is any kind of fertilizer or organic material I can add to the soil that will encourage more blooming.** This is my primary natural hummingbird food source this summer (along with numerous artificial feeding stations), and I want to keep it as appealing to the birds as possible.

BTW, this plant sits in my front yard, where it receives direct morning sun for a few hours, then partial shade/dappled sunlight throughout the afternoon. I'd like to move it so it gets more sun, but I want to keep it close to my bird feeders so it will get more attention. Plus, the planter now weighs about 80lbs and isn't ideal to move around...

Banana peel visible in one of the photos is there to encourage fruit flies, which the hummingbirds also eat.