Hummingbird Trumpet ‘Wasatch Fire’

Hummingbird Trumpet ‘Wasatch Fire’ (Epilobium canum var. garrettii), is one of those plants that earns its place in a garden with a surprisingly small footprint. Its vivid tubular flowers bring a burst of warm red-orange color when many spring perennials are winding down, while its low, spreading habit makes it especially useful along rock walls, pathways, slopes, and the edges of larger plantings. The flowers are a particular favorite of hummingbirds, making this a great choice for a garden designed around local wildlife.

This Utah native is naturally at home in dry, rocky terrain, so it doesn't need a pampered garden bed to perform well. Give it plenty of sun and well-drained soil and it can spread into an attractive, informal carpet over time. The foliage is semi-evergreen rather than permanently lush, but the plant's combination of late-season flowers, drought tolerance, cold hardiness, and easygoing growth makes it a particularly useful choice for water-wise Utah landscapes.

Photo Credit: Rolf Lawrenz 1, 2

All photos cropped to the square, but not otherwise altered.