A hummingbird trumpet is a bush that has dark green leaves and long, red flowers. It is normally found growing near rivers and streams in areas of high elevation. It grows primarily in North America, particularly in the U.S. states of California and Arizona.
This plant is considered a subshrub, which means it is a short, bushy variety that has woody stems. The hummingbird trumpet normally grows to be around two feet (60.96 cm) high. It may grow in a very round shape and is typically two or three feet (.61 to .91 m) in circumference.
The flowers of this plant are usually around three to four inches (7.62 to 10.16 cm) long, and somewhat resemble a trumpet. They are normally medium to dark red in color. They have a stamen, or pollen-producing organ, that protrudes from the center of the blossom. This section is usually around 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) long. The blooms typically appear in late summer or early fall, but in some cases can last into the early winter months as well.
The leaves of a hummingbird trumpet are usually located in groups of three or four at the top of the plant's stems. They are generally around an inch (2.54 cm) long. This bush is an evergreen variety, which means that the leaves do not fall off the plant in the fall but remain on the branches year-round.
Most of the time, this plant can be found growing in the wild, in mountainous areas of the western United States. Although it is often found near natural sources of water, it does not need to receive much rainfall in order to thrive. It can often survive a drought and can even be used in xeriscaping, a type of gardening that naturally needs little or no irrigation.
This shrub is sometimes referred to as a California fuchsia or Arizona trumpet. It is actually related to the evening primrose. The plant is thought to attract hummingbirds, hence the name. It may also attract bees, butterflies, and other types of birds native to the area where it grows.
In some areas, this plant is considered to be an invasive species. This means that it can crowd out natural vegetation growing nearby. In addition, a hummingbird trumpet needs moderately warm temperatures year-round in order thrive. These factors could make it difficult for gardeners in many areas to enjoy this brightly-colored bush. People who would like to plant this flower in their backyards should carefully consider their local climate when doing so.