Chuparosa

Sun

Full sun; tolerates light afternoon shade in very hot inland gardens.

Water

Low once established. Water deeply but infrequently during prolonged dry weather, allowing the soil to dry between waterings.

Soil

Sharply drained sandy, gravelly or rocky soil; tolerates poor and alkaline soil but dislikes wet clay.

Height

3-6 ft (0.9-1.8 m)

Spread

4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m)

Flowers

Mainly late winter through spring, with further flushes after rain or watering; tubular scarlet-red flowers, occasionally yellow.

Foliage

Small, soft, oval green leaves on slender green stems. Leaves drop during drought or cold, leaving the stems to carry on photosynthesis.

Growth

Moderate; faster with warmth and occasional deep watering.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   2.3 ft (0.71 m)

3. After 2 years

   3 ft (0.93 m)

4. After 3 years

   4 ft (1.1 m)

5. After 5 years

   4 ft (1.4 m)

   full size

About 4 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

the US

Growth rate

Fast

• Water new plants deeply, then let the root zone dry before watering again; gradually reduce watering as roots establish.
• Plant on a mound or slope if drainage is uncertain, and keep irrigation away from the crown.
• Use gravel mulch rather than moisture-retentive mulch around the base.
• Avoid routine feeding; rich soil and heavy fertilising encourage weak, sprawling growth.
• In containers, use a gritty potting mix and overwinter in a bright, frost-free place with sparse watering.

Pruning. After the main spring flowering flush, remove dead wood and shorten wayward stems lightly to preserve the loose shape. Wait until new growth begins before cutting out frost-damaged stems, and avoid repeated shearing.

Late winter

Enjoy the early flowers and protect container plants from frost; keep sheltered plants on the dry side.

Spring

Plant once damaging frosts have passed, choosing a sunny position with excellent drainage.

Late spring

After the main flowering flush, remove dead stems and lightly reduce sprawling growth.

Summer

Water established plants only during prolonged dry spells; leaf drop alone is a normal drought response.

Autumn

Reduce watering as temperatures fall and move containers under cover before frost.

• Plant among boulders and gravel for a loose, natural desert planting.
• Combine with agaves and yuccas so its fine stems and red flowers soften their strong outlines.
• Use near a patio or window where visiting hummingbirds can be watched in regions where they occur.
• Group on a sunny, dry slope with other desert shrubs, allowing room for its spreading branches.

Garden styles it suits: Desert modern, Southwestern, Desert / xeriscape, California native, Wildlife garden and Dry gravel garden.

Plant it with: Brittlebush, Desert marigold, Desert globemallow, Parry's agave, Red yucca and Fairy duster.

Wildlife: The nectar-rich flowers are valuable to hummingbirds within their range and are also visited by insects. Its loose branches provide light cover for small desert wildlife.

• Root rot in wet or poorly drained soil: improve drainage, reduce watering and avoid sites that stay wet in winter.
• Frost damage to stems: provide a sheltered position and remove dead growth only after spring growth reveals what has survived.
• Sparse flowering or floppy growth in shade: move to a sunnier position and avoid heavy feeding.
• Aphids on tender shoots: wash off small colonies with water and allow natural predators to control the remainder.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, but species-specific safety information is limited. No particular plant part is established as poisonous; do not treat it as an edible plant.

• Mexican honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera)

  Usually has orange flowers and larger, more persistent leaves, giving it a much leafier appearance than chuparosa.

• California fuchsia (Epilobium canum)

  Usually forms a lower, leafy perennial clump with narrow grey-green leaves and flowers mainly in late summer and autumn, rather than a tall, open framework of green stems.

Chuparosa is a Spanish name used for hummingbirds, referring to their nectar feeding, while Justicia honours the Scottish botanist James Justice and californica refers to California.

Propagation. Sow fresh seed in a free-draining mix in warmth, or take semi-ripe stem cuttings during warm weather. Keep cuttings lightly moist rather than wet.

Accepted botanical name

Justicia californica

In the US and Canada

Native in the lower 48 states.

Native range

Arizona, California and Mexico Northwest.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.