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Anisacanthus wrightii

Flame anisacanthus or ‘Mexican Flame’

Bright red-orange tubular flowers appear in late summer and coincide with hummingbird migration.

Deciduous small to medium-sized shrub with upright branches closely covered with rich green leaves. The branches grow upright, then gracefully arch toward the ground, giving a rounded shape to the plant. Long-lasting, bright red-orange flowers occur in spikes at the tips of longer branches and shorter side branches. The narrow tubular flowers may reach 2? in length, and the flower spike itself may reach 8? long. This showy shrub is usually sold as the selection ?Mexican Flame?TM.


QuickFacts Description Growth Forms: Shrub. Mature Height: 3-4 feet Mature Width: 3-4 feet Predominant Flower Color: Orange-red Flowering Seasons: Summer Rainy Season (July - mid September), Fall (Octover - November) Gardening Planting Zone: Mini Oasis, Transition zone Water Use: Low - Moderate Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun Hardy to: Below 10° F Planting Season: Spring (mid February - April) Growth Rate: Moderate Availability: Common at full-service nurseries, probably less so at out-of-state chain nurseries. In the Wild Habitat: On rocky banks and flood plains of streams. Native Range: Western Texas and northern Mexico

Landscape Use: Flower Garden, Swimming Pool Area, Bird Garden, Massing, Patio Area.

Flame anisacanthus can grow lushly near pools, patios, and play areas. It combines well with fall-flowering shrubs like yellow bells, bougainvillea, cape honeysuckle, lantana, salvia, and California fuchsia. What a feast for hummingbirds! If winter leaflessness bothers you, tuck it more into the background.

Planting Tips: Plant from one-gallon containers in fall or spring. Dig the hole about the same depth as the root ball and three times as wide. Improve desert soil by turning and adding a shovelful of sand (for drainage) and some compost or forest mulch (to help the soil hold water.) A few rocks placed next to the plant will help hold water and encourage roots to grow beneath them. Water immediately after planting.

Gardening Tips: Plants have an erect vase-shape in sunny, low water situations (watered deeply 1 ? 2 times per month), or they can be thick and fountain-shaped when watered more frequently (weekly). In either case, reduce watering to monthly during the winter. In spring, bare stems sprout new leaves. Every few years, overgrown or unattractive plants may be cut back almost to the ground in spring. The rest of the year, snip only as needed to keep paths clear; otherwise let alone. Fertilization is not usually necessary.

Problems: Branches are bare in winter.

Attracting Wildlife

Wildlife Attraction: Birds, Nectar food plant.
Wildlife Use: The red-orange tubular flowers that bloom in late summer/fall attract hummingbirds and sulphur butterflies.

Names

Family: Acanthaceae (Acanthus Family)
Scientific Name (Genus species): Anisacanthus wrightii
Pronounced ah-nesse-uh-KAN-thus. The species name is after Charles Wright (1811-1885) who trained as a teacher, but turned to botanizing and plant collecting.
Common Names: Flame anisacanthus, ‘Mexican Flame’
Cultivar: ‘Mexican Flame’
TradeName: ‘Mexican Flame’ TM

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