California Fuchsia

Jon Hammond.

Hummingbirds love California Fuchsia.

If you'd like to attract hummingbirds to your garden AND you'd like a perennial that would still be blooming in August, September and October, then here's a beautiful native plant to consider: California Fuchsia.

Hummingbirds are naturally drawn to red flowers, since they can see the color red and insect competitors can't, and the tubular shape of California Fuchsia flowers also favors hummers with their long bills and nectar-sipping tongues. California Fuchsia was formerly known as Zauschneria californica, and most reference works still use this nomenclature, though the current preferred botanical term is Epilobium canum ssp latifolium.

As a native in a state that gets little summertime water, California Fuchsia is also drought-tolerant and if gardeners make any mistake with this hardy plant it is usually overwatering. California Fuchsia only gets 1-2 feet tall, making it a good compact bloomer for rock gardens and raised beds, and it can even be container grown, as long as it isn't overwatered.

Grow these attractive, fiery red flowers, and hummingbirds, butterflies and other nectar feeders will appreciate it, and you'll have the pleasure of a non-thirsty plant that produces lovely flowers long after most plants are done blooming for the year.

You can see California Fuchsia growing wild in Tehachapi Mountain Park and other areas, perhaps even in your own yard, but nurseries often sell other species or varieties that form larger plants.

Botanical name: Epilobium canum ssp latifolium.

Perennial Herb

Starting: Containers.

Size: Eight inches to two feet tall.

Exposure: Full sun, partial shade.

Watering: Weekly or as needed.