Justicia californica
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Hummingbird Bush
| Evergreen-Deciduous | Semi-Evergreen, Deciduous |
|---|---|
| Overall Mature Size | Medium |
| Mature Height & Spread | 3-6' x 3-6' |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Shade |
| Water | Medium, Low Water |
| Flower Color | Red, Yellow |
| Bloom Time | Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Special Features | Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Desert Conditions, Low Water Use |
| Container Sizes | #1, #5 |
| Natural Growth Habit | Clumping |
| Sunset Garden Zones | 10-14, 18-24 |
| Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone | 8-10 |
| Plant Type | Shrub |
It is a species of the mostly tropical genus Justicia. This is a low bush which grows in dry hot regions in the sand or rocky terrain of the desert floor. For a short time it bears succulent leaves. It loses its leaves and then produces plentiful tubular flowers usually in shades of bright to deep red or sometimes yellow. Each long flower has a wide lower lip that falls open to reveal the inside of the blossom. Hummingbirds visit the bush to feed on the nectar. Other birds eat the sugar-rich flower centers. This plant is sometimes cultivated as a landscape ornamental in desert regions for its bright flowers and to attract birds.
