Blue Plumbago	Bush Morning Glory
Firebush	White Bush Morning Glory
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Few plants really thrive in our Texas heat from July- September but Hamelia patens (sometimes listed as H. erecta) seems to thrive on it. Actually, a large shrub or small tree native to Mexico, firebush is a dependable and useful perennial for the southern half of Texas. It freezes to the ground and re-sprouts each spring typically making a 4- to 5- foot mound of reddish orange flowers from early summer until late fall.

In addition to its long blooming season, there are several other significant attributes of the plant. Hamelia is very drought tolerant and thrives in most any soil as long as it is well- drained. Full sun or partially shaded locations are preferable to shady ones which will result in rank growth and little bloom. The foliage often turns bright red before freezing back and the small, dark fruit is edible. In Mexico, a fermented drink is said to be made from the fruit. The leaves and stems have been used for tanning and a concoction from the leaves reportedly is used for various medicinal purposes.

The flower buds last longer than the flowers themselves and appear in great numbers. After maturing, the flowers drop off quickly and the plant requires only occasional shearing to keep it in a nearly perpetual state of bloom.

Another common name for H. patens is Hummingbird Bush. Hummingbirds are attracted to the tubular red flowers and add another value to the plant.

Firebush is useful as a container plant in masses or located at the back of wide border plantings. It is useful an annual in northern parts of the state where more severe winters may kill the root system of the plant.

AND TRY 'George' Bush Morning Glory (http://www.plantanswers.com/bush_morning_glory.htm)

and

the old-fashioned Four o'clocks (http://www.plantanswers.com/four_clock.htm)
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Summer-Blue plumbago is a perennial with blue flowers all summer. It performs well in partial shade or full sun. Some winters the foliage is retained and in sheltered locations it may even have a few blooms all winter. Blue plumbago is a good xeriscape plant for summer bloom and is especially attractive to butterflies.

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Crapemyrtles are summer blooming woody plants that perform admirably in a xeriscape. Select the size and growth habit to fit your needs. There are small shrubs, large shrubs, and small trees. Bloom color includes white, pink, red, and purple. Crapemyrtle is most renowned for its summer bloom but many of the tree and large shrub selections also have decorative bark. Chose from our list of the best at: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/trees/crape_myrtle_varieties.html