Firebush (Hamelia patens) shined during Texas heat dome | a hummingbird favorite

Firebush is also known as Hummingbird bush and it is a fantastic shrub / bush in the pollinator garden. The hummingbirds, butterflies, native bees and bugs all love this bush. It also has small berries that the birds are fond of. It is amazing what beneficial insects this bush attracts. It is native to Florida and the American tropics. I have been a fan of this bush for a few years now, but after our oppressive summer, I am even more of a fan! And it doesn't have any pests, so that is another big plus. What do you think of Firebush?

[@DS-rf7si]

Am California zone 10. Last year I purchased Lime Sizzle Firebush from Lowe's clearance rack. I got it cuz I REALLY wanted candy corn spirea, but I can't grow it in my zone. It's taken beautifully to my garden. I'm enjoying that colorful yellow and green leaves with the red flowers. But dear heavens, your tag said 3x3! I sure hope mine doesn't grow that HUGE! of over 6 ft tall. For now, my hummers are ignoring the firebush and instead head over to the St Elmo's fire firecracker bush.

[@ButterfliesNBirds]

I am not experienced with the Lime Sizzler ... but I sure like the colors! Fire bush can be heavily pruned to stay a certain size that you need.

[@debiebrumley3104]

love it , here in Midlothian Tx zone 8 North Tx. If it does not make it I will just plant it again.

[@ButterfliesNBirds]

You are right on the edge in Zone 8 for it to come back after freezing. If you mulch really well around the base before the winter it might come back for you.

[@TexasBroskiActual]

Yesss. We love ours. We picked up a native at a local nursery, and it is living its life in a Jack Daniel’s Whiskey barrel. Also we have a family of Carpenter Bees who made their summer vacation home in a wooden swing on our front patio, and they love this plant!

[@ButterfliesNBirds]

I LOVE it ... planted in a whiskey barrel! The carpenter bees are a nice touch. I am always surprised by how many bugs/bees/anoles/butterflies/hummingbirds/birds love this plant. Thanks for the comment! 😊

[@joycehancock3944]

Oh my goodness I need this plant🌱

[@ButterfliesNBirds]

It really is a great bush! 😀

[@AndreaHartman-l5g]

My favorite here in zone 9b Florida, attracts our state butterfly, the gorgeous zebra longwind. Good explanation about the hybrid and native firebush. I really enjoy your channel as I am all about butterfly gardening. We have the same plants in zone 9b central Florida.

[@ButterfliesNBirds]

That is awesome ... another butterfly gardener! 🦋 🐛😊🌺 I am glad you found my channel! I kind of feel like I sometimes take my Firebush for granted. But it is such a workhorse in my Zone 9a garden! (I wish we had zebra longwings here - they are pretty!)

[@robertingram2820]

I am in Tucson. HD has Firebush now. Tag said Hardiness: 10 degrees. Question that...?? Says "only available at HD" I wonder what thoughts are on low temps. Only gets that cold like that very few days, will cover, but??

[@ButterfliesNBirds]

Our Firebush will die back to the ground if it freezes and will come back from the ground in spring. We froze for 4 days where it got down to 17 degrees and 2 of our 3 firebushes came back this spring. The one that died we had planted higher and mounded it because we have clay soil. It was on the outside and not as protected. I do believe that is why we lost it. I think you should be fine especially if you cover it when it freezes. Just expect it to die back but come back from the roots. Ours grew 7 feet this year from the roots.

[@slr4172]

I am also in Houston and have wanted to add Fire Bush to my garden but I need something 4'-5' high. Can this be pruned back and still flower heavily or is there a comparable dwarf variety? Thank you for sharing your garden journey.

[@ButterfliesNBirds]

Hi! Fire bush is a plant you can prune heavily if desired. In Houston we can usually add height to the recommended heights because of our warm weather and good growing conditions. There are dwarf varieties, but I am unfamiliar with them.

[@Texasaussielover]

Birds especially love the fruit of the larger plant. I have the standard, dwarf and also compacta. In Houston and here on the Texas coast, they all die to the ground in a freeze, but come back quickly in spring. Hummingbirds and bees love these plants. I enjoyed your video so much. I watched it twice.

[@deep6301]

Did it ever get black leaves? I pruned it way down. It is growing back but starting to get black on some leaves again.

[@ButterfliesNBirds]

No, mine have never gotten black leaves. When it gets cold, the leaves will turn a mahogany color, which is quite pretty. Look on the undersides of the leaves ... can you see small aphids by any chance? And make sure your firebush is in full sun.

[@jonathanc698]

Just got one a few days ago, on the tag it says that it hardy to zone 8 (texas) but idk, I am going to plant it in the ground and see what happens, gonna take some cutting just if it doesn’t come back next year, then I have some

[@ButterfliesNBirds]

Good plan on taking the cuttings just in case.

[@luciarogers3424]

Don't like fire Bush i had one i had to cut it down it's very invasive in Florida.

[@ButterfliesNBirds]

Where in Florida are you? I see a few gardeners on KZbin from Florida that really like the Fire Bush. I love mine. It is a native Florida bush that pollinators love. But certainly not all plants are for everyone.