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Nov 7, 2015 2:17 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicki
Hot Springs Village, AR (Zone 7b)
Dog Lover
I ordered several plants from a nursery that throws in a free plant of their choice. All the plants I ordered are new to me. Two plants I ordered because Hummers love them, Hamelia Patens Firebush Hummingbird Bush and Firespike Acrnthaceaue Scarlet Flame.

My order arrived with healthy-looking plants in plastic bags wrapped in paper and hand-labeled. I got two plants labeled only "Firebush". One has shiny green leaves and had some red blooms finishing up. I think it may be the Acrnthaceaue Scarlet Flame (or actually Odontonema cuspidatum, see http://www.igarden.com.au/plan....

The other has red leaves, no sign of flowers. Deduction would lead me to believe it is the Hamelia Patens, but I haven't found any pictures of Hamelia Patens with red leaves.

Any help?? Confused
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Nov 7, 2015 2:25 PM CST
Name: Jay
Nederland, Texas (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Region: Gulf Coast Charter ATP Member I helped beta test the first seed swap I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Tip Photographer Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Master Level Hibiscus
The leaves of Hamelia patens do turn red in cool weather.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.c...
wildflowersoftexas.com



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Nov 7, 2015 2:26 PM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
It looks like Firebush (Hamelia patens) to me. Here are a couple of photos showing fall color:
http://www.bing.com/images/sea...
http://www.bing.com/images/sea...
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Nov 7, 2015 2:34 PM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Munchkinsmom, *Blush* Where are my manners?? I forgot to say Welcome! to All Things Plants!
Is this the one you call Hummingbird Bush? Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)
Oh, and Firespike (Odontonema tubaeforme) is a beauty. I have it growing in my yard and the hummingbirds do love it!
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Nov 7, 2015 5:32 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicki
Hot Springs Village, AR (Zone 7b)
Dog Lover
Horntoad and plantladylin, Thank You! so much for a warm welcome and solving my quandary. I have been just totally confused about many of my new plants. The internet is full of info, but so much of it is not necessarily accurate (not deliberate misrepresentation, just confused). I am so thrilled I finally found this site, and feel totally confident in the info I find here. Thank you all!! Group hug

In trying to find more information to corroborate the minimal info provided on the seller's site, my brain was exploding. Now that Horntoad and plantladylin have solved the mysteries, which of these plants do you think would have a better chance in an area that gets full sun all day, but will have a little shade from a nearby Cercis in late afternoon, and usually has great drainage, but can collect water for a while (day or two) during heavy rainfall? (as best I can recall about rain).

Here are links to the seller's site for the two plants that were in question.
The Hamelia is the one referred to as Hummingbird Bush. http://www.morrisplantnursery....

The Firespike seems to have gone by many names according to various sites I have found (including the link in my original message). Does that square with what you know? Seller's link http://www.morrisplantnursery....

And last but not least, here is a picture of the two 2" plants together. Since it's getting much cooler here very quickly and these are only about 2" plugs, should I pot them up and hold them until spring or do you think I might get away with putting them in the ground.? Confused
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Nov 7, 2015 6:44 PM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Dang, I typed a long reply and then Firefox suddenly quit on me! Grumbling Computers! Let me try again. Green Grin!

"Firebush", "Firecracker Shrub", "Hummingbird Bush" and "Mexican Firebush" are all common names for Hamelia patens.

"Firespike", "Scarlet Flame", Cardinal Guard" and "Mexican Firespike" are all common names for Thyrsacanthus tubaeformis.

So, you can see why plant names are so confusing. Green Grin!

I think the Hummingbird Bush may do fine planted near your Cersis, it grows to @ 5 feet tall. My next door neighbor has a large shrub right up next to the side of his house and when it rains that part of the yard is flooded and very slow to drain. We've lived next door to him for four years and I haven't noticed any issues with that Hamelia patens shrub!

I have Firespike/Scarlet Flame growing in full sun as well as some in a little shade in a well draining area of the yard. Just be aware that it grows 6 to 8 feet tall.

I don't know how cold your winters get, whether you ever have frost or freezes but being as they are small plugs, my suggestion would be to pot them up and hold them until spring before planting them out.

Hopefully others will pop in with some suggestions.
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Nov 8, 2015 8:35 AM CST
Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi
Dragonflies Dog Lover Bookworm I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Photography Bee Lover
Plays in the sandbox Butterflies Region: Texas Garden Sages I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member
Welcome, Vicki. Smiling Welcome! Welcome!
Love your avatar photograph. Lovey dubby
It’s okay to not know all the answers.
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Nov 8, 2015 9:24 AM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Vicki, that little pup in your avatar photo is so cute ... is that by chance Munchkin?
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Nov 12, 2015 5:23 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicki
Hot Springs Village, AR (Zone 7b)
Dog Lover
Lovemyhouse - Thanks for the welcome. Thank You! Love your avatar, too!

plantladylin - Right you are! That's the light of my life, my little Munchkin man. Angel Lovey dubby Lovey dubby I think he's getting a little jealous Grumbling of all the planting, butterflying, birding business going on around here lately. Hilarious!
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