California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet) Epilobium canum
California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet) (Epilobium canum) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Onagraceae family, native to California, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico and Baja California. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Onagraceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | California, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico and Baja California |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet)
- How far apart should I plant California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet)?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft).
- Does California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet)?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet) flower?
- From about August for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
- Calflora: information on California plants, Calflora (non-profit database), Berkeley, California
Notes and assumptions
- A California native of the chaparral and foothills: it grows through the mild, wet winter and rests in the dry summer, when it should be left unwatered once established.
- Grey leaves and masses of scarlet-orange tubular flowers from late summer into autumn, when almost nothing else flowers in a dry garden: a crucial nectar source for migrating hummingbirds. Spreads by runners; cut back in winter. Formerly Zauschneria californica.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Hardy fuchsia Fuchsia magellanica
- Missouri evening primrose (bigfruit evening primrose) Oenothera macrocarpa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea