WATCH IT GROW
Easy-care shrub can take the heat
Posted on Sun, May. 11, 2008
BY GEORGIA TASKER
Name: Mexican honeysuckle
Botanical name: Justicia spicigera
Description: In the same family of plants as Brazilian plume and shrimp-plant, this Justicia has brilliant flowers that sparkle in our equally brilliant light. The species name means spike or spike-bearing, which aptly describes the orange tubular flowers.
The shrub loves heat, and grows naturally from Mexico through Central America. The flowers attract hummingbirds.
Kartuz Greenhouses carries a whole line of justicias, including a cultivar of this plant (www.kartuz.com).
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Light: full sun to part shade
Culture: Good drainage is a requirement, but the shrub doesn't require anything special in terms of care. It likes a moderate amount of water, but can tolerate some dryness. If it gets too sprawly, however, the branches that fall to the ground may take root. Keep in check with pruning.
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