Texas Fire Bush (Hamelia patens) in DFW Area

14 years ago

Has anyone had any luck growing Fire Bush in the DFW area? I want to grow some in a couple of containers on my patio but I've been told it won't grow up here. I can't even find it in any of the local nurseries.

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carla morey

14 years ago

Yes, I've had very good luck with Hamelia patens in the ground. I used to treat them as annuals, putting them in pots every year. But a few years ago I thought "What the heck" and put one in the ground, and now the same plant has been coming back for the past 6 years. It's the last thing to come up in the spring -- what they call a Late Sleeper -- so don't give up on it too soon. I've seen them at Rohde's in Garland and North Haven Gardens on 75 in Dallas.

Carla in Rowlett

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Comments (9)

freshair2townsquare
14 years ago
mine is a late sleeper, as well - also, mine doesn't get nearly as large as advertised, only about 3ft - i'm considering a different location b/c it currently has poor drainage

carla - is yours large?

~ freshair
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carla morey
14 years ago
Yes, mine is pretty big. Last year it was well over 5 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter. It gets loads of sun, but late afternoon shade and good drainage. I'll bet if I watered it and fertilized it more, it'd get even bigger.

Carla
Gardener972
14 years ago
I had one in the ground but it didn't come back. It got to about 3-4 feet high and about 4 feet around. If it's a "late sleeper" as indicated above, maybe mine would have come back. I just assumed it was an annual at the time.
freshair2townsquare
14 years ago
hmmm - mine gets full day sun - food for thought - thanks
~ freshair
cynthianovak
14 years ago
I have one in ground that is returing for its 3rd year. It is maybe a foot tall. It is in part sun. Last year it took all summer to get 3-4 ft tall.

I have another in a pot that I dragged in last Dec. It was neglected, only a few leaves when I dragged it back out in March. It even took a light frost. Not is it easily 3-4 ft tall and covered in buds. I have fertilized it along with my brugs, so I've fertilized it weekly with 20-20-20 It seems to be happy about that. Guess I should hit the one in ground too!

I haven't seen them at my favorite nursery yet
c
sowngrow (8a)
13 years ago
I just bought one at Ace Hardware in the garden section for 40% off. It's in full bloom. I'm always looking for more plants to feed the hummingbirds!
Lynn Marie
13 years ago
DH bought one last year and I knew nothing about it. Died last winter, but low and behold, it started coming back about a month ago. So I agree that it is a very late sleeper!
cynthianovak
13 years ago
One returning in ground is now about 3 ft tall.

I had one in a large pot. Assumed it was dead, but since I know it can take its time coming back, I planted cleome in the same pot. FINALLY there is return growth at the root / soil level. I confess, I picked up one in bloom earlier this summer and am enjoying it. Can't have too many of these. This years is in full sun in a pot by a fountain...couldn't be prettier! I shook some of the MG Shake and Feed with sulphur on it. Seems to love it.

c

Texas Fire Bush (Hamelia patens) in DFW Area

carla morey

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freshair2townsquare

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