Flame Acanthus
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Pickup currently unavailable at Native Gardeners
Pickup currently unavailable
407 South Pipeline Road East
Euless TX 76040
United States
+12148140932
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
Also known as Flame Acanthus, Hummingbird Bush, Wright's Desert Honeysuckle, Wright Acanthus, Mexican Flame, Wright's Mexican Flame
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii, affectionately known as the Texas firecracker, is a charming upright shrub growing up to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, showcasing a lovely spreading and informal look. This hardy plant is native to the warm, sunny areas of extreme south-central Texas and the neighboring northern parts of Mexico, often thriving on rocky, calcareous slopes and floodplains. With its slender, brittle stems and attractive peeling bark, it adds character to any garden. The small, nearly clasping leaves have a lovely lanceolate shape that complements its vibrant blooms. From spring to late summer, after rainfall, the Texas firecracker bursts forth with numerous bright red-orange tubular flowers that measure 1 to 1.5 inches long, making it a favorite among hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators—while deer tend to steer clear of it.
For the best results, this cheerful plant loves to bask in full sun and prefers medium to dry, well-draining soils. It’s quite adaptable, thriving in a variety of soil types, including poor, rocky, and heavy clay soils. Plus, it’s drought-tolerant and can even be grown in pots! In desert landscapes, a little regular irrigation during the summer helps it flourish. In Zones 7 to 10, the Texas firecracker may die back to its roots in colder areas during winter, but fear not—it’ll come back to life in spring with fresh new growth.
While pruning isn’t necessary, you can gently trim it in the fall for shape or give it a more substantial pruning every few years if desired.
Butterfly Host Plant: Banded Peacock (Anartia Fatima); Tulcis Crecent (Anthanassa tulcis); Rosita Patch (Chlosyne rosita)
Height: 3’-5'
Spread: 3’-4'
Bloom: June-September
Light: Full sun, Part Shade, Dappled Shade
Water: Low
Zone: 7, 8, 9, 10
Origin: Texas & Mexico
Spring Shipping:
Orders are shipped within 7-10 business days. We will email you if there are expected delays.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
