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I have yet to meet anyone who does not enjoy watching hummingbirds.
These minute creatures may be the most actively interesting group of organisms on the planet. Their little wings beat around 20 to 30 times per second! The Aztecs of Mexico and Central America were especially fond of these little birds. Their word for hummingbird is “huitzil.” Say this word, and it sounds like a hummingbird buzzing away.
To support this highly active life, hummingbirds need high energy nectar from many different plants. One great native plant for Texas is the Hummingbird Bush (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii).
The Hummingbird Bush, also called Flame Acanthus, Wright’s Honeysuckle, and Wright’s Anisacanthus, is native to the rocky regions of the Edwards Plateau in west-central Texas. This shrub to subshrub grows to 3 to 4 feet vertically and can stretch out about 3 to 4 feet horizontally as well. It does well in various soil types from clay to sand to rock. It blooms in full sun, but I believe it can tolerate a bit of shade and still pop out a few flowers.
In summer and early fall, the plant produces showy red or orange blossoms. It’s actually been called a “profuse bloomer.” These half inch long tubular flowers are mighty attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies alike. Because it produces such a multitude of flowers, hummingbirds will spend much of the day visiting a single large plant. I always enjoy watching them zip from one flower to the next.
Hummingbird Bush is in Acanthaceae, or the Acanthus family. The family has around 2,500 species in about 250 genera. In Texas, representative species are American Water-Willow (Justicia americana), Wild Petunias (Ruellia sp.), and Snakeherb (Dyschoriste linearis). Nonnatives such as Shrimp Plant (Pachystachys lutea) and Clockvine (Thunbergia alata) are commonly used in cultivation.
One of my favorite things about this plant is their mechanism of dispersal! In late fall, the pollinated flowers produce capsules that have unique structures attached to the seeds. These small hook-like outgrowths are called retinaculums. When the capsule dries, it breaks open and the retinaculums fling the seeds away, allowing the plants to spread. During the heat of summer, the capsules can be quite explosive and launch the seeds many feet away! The young plants are easy to weed away, if you so desire.
Another great thing about this plant: it’s deer resistant! For several years, my family and I have not seen deer eat this plant, and it’s one of the very few left unnibbled. It has spread out of the flower garden, but we allow those plants to thrive.
Lack of rain is usually not a problem for this tough woody perennial; however, it can quickly flower after a summer splash. It may need a bit of watering for the first year, but once it is established, it rarely needs watering.
I highly suggest using this native plant in your landscape – you and the hummingbirds will enjoy it!
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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: kieschnick
