Hummingbird Trumpet
Epilobium canum
A fiery late-season bloomer whose tubular orange-red flowers are an essential fuel stop for migrating hummingbirds.
Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; herbaceous perennial that dies back with winter frost in the low desert and returns vigorously each spring, thriving from low to mid elevations.
AMWUA Notes
Delivers rare late-summer and fall color for moderate water, filling the seasonal gap after spring wildflowers fade.
Care Guide
Water weekly through the summer bloom period to keep flowers coming, then reduce to every 2-3 weeks; more water than most desert perennials, less than turf.
Cut the whole plant to the ground in late winter before new growth emerges; pinch stem tips in early summer to encourage bushier, denser flowering.
A light feeding of balanced fertilizer in spring supports the heavy late-season bloom; otherwise unnecessary.
Occasional aphids or spider mites in hot, dry spells — rinse with water; otherwise trouble-free.
Herbaceous and winter-dormant, disappearing to the ground in cold months and re-emerging in spring to peak in late summer and fall.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Adaptable to lean, gravelly, or sandy desert soils; tolerates rocky slopes and poor ground; needs good drainage.
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
Division of rhizomes, cuttings, or seed; it spreads on its own by underground runners.
2 ft
Spreads by rhizomes into a colony; give it room or edge it to keep it contained. Not a taproot concern.
Placement Tips
- •Site where you can watch the fall hummingbird traffic — near windows, patios, and entries.
- •Give it room to spread by rhizomes; use it to knit together a rock garden or slope.
- •Combine with spring-blooming penstemons so the bed carries color from spring through fall.
- •Tolerates reflected heat but blooms most fully with a little afternoon relief in the hottest spots.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Hummingbird Trumpet? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
Talk to a Dream BuilderGet a Project EstimateAlready a Client?
Use this care guide to maintain your Hummingbird Trumpet. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Hummingbird Trumpet — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Hummingbird Trumpet need in Phoenix?
Hummingbird Trumpet is a moderate-water perennial once established. Water weekly through the summer bloom period to keep flowers coming, then reduce to every 2-3 weeks; more water than most desert perennials, less than turf. Delivers rare late-summer and fall color for moderate water, filling the seasonal gap after spring wildflowers fade.
How big does Hummingbird Trumpet get?
Expect roughly 1 ft tall and 2 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 2 ft of spacing when planting. Spreads by rhizomes into a colony; give it room or edge it to keep it contained. Not a taproot concern.
Can you plant Hummingbird Trumpet near a pool?
Yes. Hummingbird Trumpet is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Hummingbird Trumpet handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Hummingbird Trumpet is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; herbaceous perennial that dies back with winter frost in the low desert and returns vigorously each spring, thriving from low to mid elevations. Herbaceous and winter-dormant, disappearing to the ground in cold months and re-emerging in spring to peak in late summer and fall.
Does Hummingbird Trumpet have thorns?
No. Hummingbird Trumpet is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Hummingbird Trumpet safe around pets?
Hummingbird Trumpet is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Hummingbird Trumpet bloom in Arizona?
Hummingbird Trumpet blooms in summer-fall, with orange-red flowers. The bloom draws hummingbirds.
How much maintenance does Hummingbird Trumpet need?
Hummingbird Trumpet is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Cut the whole plant to the ground in late winter before new growth emerges; pinch stem tips in early summer to encourage bushier, denser flowering.
What kind of soil does Hummingbird Trumpet need?
Adaptable to lean, gravelly, or sandy desert soils; tolerates rocky slopes and poor ground; needs good drainage. Nutrient needs are low. A light feeding of balanced fertilizer in spring supports the heavy late-season bloom; otherwise unnecessary.
Is Hummingbird Trumpet native to Arizona?
Yes. Hummingbird Trumpet is native to Arizona and to the Western US, Northwestern Mexico, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.