Adding vibrant color to the landscape, Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii (Desert Honeysuckle) is an upright, deciduous shrub with slender stems adorned with exfoliating bark and clothed with small, light-green, lanceolate leaves. Blooming from early summer to fall, nectar-filled brilliant red-orange tubular flowers, 2 in. long (5 cm), resembling those of honeysuckle, appear in abundance. As with many other xeric plants, rain triggers a flush of blooms, covering the plant in fiery orange. The blossoms are highly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. This heat-loving, drought and cold tolerant shrub will survive with little water, but for best flower production, water deeply every 2-3 weeks in summer. A showy shrub with ornamental blooms for perennial gardens. Takes well to shearing and can make a dense, low hedge.

• Grows upright with a bushy habit to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
• Easily grown in average, medium to dry, well-drained soils in full sun. Will grow in poor soils, rocky soils and heavy, clay soils. Drought tolerant.
• Great for beds and borders, hedges, cottage gardens, Mediterranean gardens, or rock gardens.
• Virtually disease and pest free. Deer resistant, Desert Honeysuckle attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Pruning is not required, but can be cut back by one-half to two-thirds before new spring growth to promote compact shape and prolific blooms.
• The easiest method of propagation is to take cuttings from the current season’s growth.
• Native to Texas, Mexico.