Coral Fountain Plant

Mexican Oregano is a hummingbird magnet, and since it has a very long bloom period it is worthy of planting either in your desert herb garden, or close to living spaces outdoors, so the lovely flowers can be fully appreciated. Mexican Oregano tastes like oregano, which is probably why rabbits won’t touch it.Red Salvia, Saliva greggii, is another hummingbird perennial, and is worthy of planting in your desert landscaping. This salvia species appreciates part shade, and also thrives underneath our desert native trees such as the mesquite or palo verde. There are several cultivars with different flower colors, but the red species is the hardiest. View the list »
Penstemons are a must have for your hummer garden, as this is one of their favorite flowers. There are many species of penstemons available, all with varying flower colors and sizes. Some penstemons grow quite large, so make sure you are giving your plant lots of room to spread to their full size. 

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Coral Fountain, or Firecracker Bush, Russelia equisetiformis, as it is also called, is a native to Mexico and has naturalized in Florida. While you wouldn’t think a plant native to Florida would appreciate the desert southwest, this plant does seem to take our heat well and is hardy down to 15 degrees, making it suitable for both Tucson and Green Valley.

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The weeping form of the Coral Fountain does indeed appear like a fountain, and the nearly leaf free branches form a dense mound about 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

The Coral Fountain accepts high water, but will tolerant low water applications. The coral colored flowers appear in the spring and summer, and attract hummers. This plant can tolerant full sun, but part shade also works well, and would make sense in hotter parts of the desert.

Other hummingbird plants to choose from include Mexican Oregano, Red Salvia and all of the Penstemon species.

Reference: Mountain States Wholesale Nursery and Gregg Starr Nursery Plant Info Sheet, 1999.

View the list
  • Penstemons are a must have for your hummer garden, as this is one of their favorite flowers. There are many species of penstemons available, all with varying flower colors and sizes. Some penstemons grow quite large, so make sure you are giving your plant lots of room to spread to their full size. 
  • Red Salvia, Saliva greggii, is another hummingbird perennial, and is worthy of planting in your desert landscaping. This salvia species appreciates part shade, and also thrives underneath our desert native trees such as the mesquite or palo verde. There are several cultivars with different flower colors, but the red species is the hardiest. 
  • Mexican Oregano is a hummingbird magnet, and since it has a very long bloom period it is worthy of planting either in your desert herb garden, or close to living spaces outdoors, so the lovely flowers can be fully appreciated. Mexican Oregano tastes like oregano, which is probably why rabbits won’t touch it.
View the list

, Tucson Gardening Examiner

This author has lived in Arizona since 1972 and has been gardening for more than 28 years. A landscape architect and certified arborist, Linda teaches classes for everyone in desert plant care for Green Valley Recreation, and provides services in landscape design. Contact her at Linda...

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