Hamelia patens, or Firebush, is a beautiful perennial shrub that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with its tubular red or orange flowers throughout the warm months. It is well-suited to north Florida’s climate. These flower’s fruit is also known for birds that feed and will forage on small insects in the vicinity, keeping pests down.

It is so well-suited that there is now some concern. According to the Florida Native Plant Society, “In recent years, plants have been growing wild near homesites in north Florida — what you plant can escape into the wild if planted beyond the natural range. Please plant responsibly – this plant has the potential to be invasive when used outside of its natural range.”

Source: Wikipedia.