I planted a hummingbird-friendly garden in Whittier (Inland LA County) a few years ago, and a few shrubs have bloomed every since: Cuphea "David Verity" has had hundreds, if not thousands of blooms constantly. They are 8 feet tall now and need to be cut way back, but the hummingbirds love them; Salvia x jamensis has also bloomed continually. Some of the original plants have died or been replaced, but seedlings have taken their places (so i am not really sure if I should call them Salvia x jamensis anymore. Some look a lot like regular Salvia microphylla). Hummingbirds love all of these salvias, and they survive even when the sprinklers are turned off for weeks at a time. In the almost frost-free climate on LA County both of these are constantly in flower.

Hi Gordon, As I'm on the "wrong" side of the country, you'd still be better with local advice on this. I would say, though, that heat alone is not a problem, as they grow fine on the Gold Coast and Brisbane, with reasonably hot (and humid) summers. But out wet season is summer and you are wetter in winter? which might not matter if you have good drainage. Though they like full sun, the spot you mention, of course, is going to be very much exposed, so whatever goes in there could need a lot of mulching and be possibly subject to more extreme heat off that paving. So with a bit of research and prep you may well decide to go for this. My only other comment is that, seedling grown plants can be very variable in colour, and if you are looking for a stunning colour you may need to hunt around nurseries to actually find a shrub of the shape and intensity of colour, that you want for your feature.

I imagine this species would do OK in Brisbane, Matt. In view of the extensive clearance of native vegetation almost everywhere have you thought of planting something indigenous to where you wish to plant the tree as a small compensation for the damage done? Being adapted to local conditions an indigenous species would be more likely to survive than a species from elsewhere.

Check the Australian Plants Society NSW website - https://austplants.com.au/ . They are a society of people in the area where Christmas Bush grows naturally. They may be able to help you with seed, or advise where you might be able to get seed.