I posted this in the Trees and Shrubs Forum, but didn't get any response, so I thought I would try here.
Anyone know how quickly this shrub grows? I am interested in having it to put as a centerpiece in two of my beds. I found a place that has it in a 4" pot. I don't mind letting it grow, but don't want it to take 3 or 4 years to reach the 3-4" height that it is supposed to get to.
TIA!
Hummingbird Bush 'Compacta' (Hamelia patens)
Think more like 6'-8' tall and 5'-6' wide after 8-10 years (can't remember exactly how long I have had them)...mine were labeled 'Compacta' too. I'll show you a picture of them in July-August where you can see it taller than the 6' wooden privacy fence. Mine were in gallon pots.
I love the plant and so do the hummers in October--it really is a no care shrub once established and very drought tolerant after about 3 years. Mine freeze down to ground level every single winter. Cutting it back after it freezes back is really the only work it needs. I never fertilize them. They, along with everything else, are heavily mulched. Right now they are about 2' tall.
I need to see if mine is growing yet. it is in the middle of my bluebonnet bed that grew huge this year and I am now letting it deveolp the seeds for next year.I haven't done anythng to that bed yet though i did see the Flame acanthus putting on a lot of leaves when I looked this weekend.I had no idea that "compacta" would get that big...maybe have to rethink where it is..
I think most things get bigger here than other places--it is Texas, and we do have very long, hot growing seasons.
Teacup, if you have any extra seeds, I sure would like some. =)
Debbie
Okay, well, guess i need to rethink this. Everything sounds great about it, except that I need something 3-4 feet and not 6-8 feet.
So here are my conditions and maybe some one has a good idea...
I would prefer something evergreen.
I think about 4 feet, maybe 5 is as high as I would like to go.
I would prefer something that has a nice looking bush, not really scrubby looking.
Pretty much full sun although the tree does offer some shade for a little while during the day.
I have 2 spots that I want to put the same plant.
Here is one pic. I want to put it right in the middle where the sticks (also known as tropical hibiscus that is taking its own sweet time leafing out) are currently. I don't have a good pic of the other area, but it is similar.
TIA
Would a plumbago work for you there? Mine are evergreen unless we have an exceptionally bad winter. They get about 4 feet tall with roughly the same spread. I don't know if you have a specific bloom color in mind, but the plumbago comes in blue or white. My white ones don't get as large as the blue. Another choice might be loripetalum. It has burgundy leaves and hot pink flowers off and on throughout the year with heaviest bloom in the spring. It can be pruned to any height. Another choice would be Knockout rose in red, pink, or rainbow (coral). Mine get about the size you're looking for and are absolutely trouble free.
Crow
I hadn't thought of Plumbago because I was thinking they would die back every year and get bigger than I was looking for, but if it only dies back once in a while, that would probably be okay. I am pretty open on bloom color. I have Mexican Heather and gardenias in that bed, so the blue would probably be better than the white, but I will have to look into it.
I had considered a rose, but for some reason, hadn't thought specifically of Knockout, but that might be a good choice.
The other area I have has some pink hardy hibiscus, mexican heather, jungle princess daylilies, red begonias, two JFK roses and more stuff than I can even seem to remember at this point. I might use the blue plumbago there and the knockout rose in the spot above.
Lots to think about...
Thanks.
You have d-mail!
:~)
I pulled back the bluebonnets and my Hamelia is up almost a foot! It looks a lot bushier than last year so I hope it pulls in the hummingbirds for me
Another great plant would be Salvia-Autumn sage. It comes in several colors, is evergreen and blooms from now to frost. Cut back in early fall for even more blooms. Trim up good in spring and it will give you an early show. BF and Hummers love it.
Easy care after established.
DD