Fall Deals:
15% OFF Strawberry Trees - Barbados Cherries - Papayas
15% Off Vitex & Sweet Almond
Roselle & Egyptian Spinach - Buy One Get One Free
🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🌺🔥 Native Large-Leaf Firebush (Hamelia patens) — Florida’s Fiery Native Wonder!
Welcome to one of Florida’s most iconic native shrubs! The Large-Leaf Firebush explodes with brilliant red-orange blooms that dazzle butterflies and hummingbirds all year long in warm zones. This wild, free-spirited native thrives with almost no care—perfect for wildlife gardens, naturalized spaces, and Florida-friendly landscapes.
🌿 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Hamelia patens (Florida native form) |
| Plant Type | Native, semi-evergreen flowering shrub |
| Sale Size | 3-gallon container (well-rooted, ready to plant) |
| Mature Size | Pruned: ~6–8 ft tall × 5–6 ft wide • Unpruned: 10–12 ft tall × 8–10 ft wide |
| USDA Zones | 8a–11 (root-hardy to low 20s °F; evergreen in South FL) |
| Sun | Full sun to light shade (flowers best in full sun) |
| Cold Hardiness | May freeze to the ground below 28°F; rebounds vigorously each spring |
| Growth Habit | Fast-growing, open, arching habit with large velvety leaves |
| Spacing | 6–8 ft center-to-center for dense screens or hedges |
✨ Why Grow the Native Large-Leaf Firebush?
- 🌞 True Florida native: Perfectly adapted to our soils and seasons—no pampering required.
- 🦋 Pollinator paradise: Feeds dozens of native butterflies, hummingbirds, and songbirds.
- 🌾 Ecological impact: Supports local ecosystems, provides shelter, nectar, and berries for wildlife.
- 🔥 Year-round beauty: Rich green leaves, fiery blooms, and glossy black berries that change with the seasons.
🌼 Flower, Fruit & Wildlife Details
- Blooms: Vivid orange-red tubular clusters nearly year-round in frost-free regions; heaviest spring through fall.
- Berries: Small, dark purple to black fruits beloved by birds and small mammals.
- Wildlife: Top-tier nectar source for Zebra Longwing, Gulf Fritillary, and Cloudless Sulphur butterflies; berries feed mockingbirds, cardinals, and more.
🪴 Container & Indoor Tips
While possible to grow in a large pot, this vigorous native prefers in-ground planting. If using a container, choose 20+ gallons with excellent drainage and prune occasionally to maintain form.
🎨 Landscape Uses & Companions
Design Roles:
Naturalized borders, wildlife corridors, large foundation plantings, privacy hedges, or pollinator gardens.
Great Companions We Carry:
- Yellow Necklace Pod (Sophora tomentosa) – coastal pollinator powerhouse
- Blue Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) – continuous nectar pairing
- Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) – native wildlife magnet with brilliant berries
- Firebush ‘Calusa’ or Dwarf Compacta – tiered plantings for layered pollinator design
🛠 Best Practices for Planting & Care
Where to Plant
- Full sun preferred; tolerates light shade.
- Well-drained to moderately dry soils. Thrives in sandy Florida soils once established.
How to Plant (High & Tight method)
Set slightly above the soil line on a mound; dig a hole only slightly wider than the pot. Backfill with native soil, tamping firmly to remove air pockets. Apply mulch 2–3" deep, keeping it away from the base.
📺 Watch our planting method video here:
👉 High & Tight Planting Method
Water & Feeding
- Establishment: Water daily for the first week, 2–3× per week for 4–6 weeks.
- Long-term: Once established, it is very drought-tolerant; only water during extended dry spells.
- Fertilizer: Usually unnecessary. If growth slows, use a light organic fertilizer once in early spring.
Pruning
- Responds well to hard pruning.
- In North & Central Florida, cut back frost-damaged wood in spring.
- To maintain dense shape, shear lightly after major blooms.
Winter Notes for Florida & Similar Climates
- South FL (Zones 10–11): Evergreen and flowers year-round.
- Central FL (Zones 9–9b): May partially defoliate in winter, re-leafs quickly by March.
- North FL (Zones 8–8b): Dies to ground after hard freeze; resprouts from roots in late spring.
🧪 Historical & Cultural Notes
The Firebush has deep roots in tropical and subtropical America. Indigenous peoples used its leaves and stems in poultices for skin irritation, and its vibrant blooms symbolized renewal and protection in regional folklore. Today, this Florida native species stands as a symbol of biodiversity and resilience, vital for pollinators and wildlife.
🧰 Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Likely Cause | Organic Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Frost Damage | Normal seasonal dieback | Cut to ground; mulch well—rebounds fast each spring |
| Sparse Bloom | Too much shade or rich fertilizer | Move to full sun; limit nitrogen feeding |
| Leggy Growth | No pruning or excessive shade | Prune annually in spring; encourage branching |
| Aphids/Whiteflies | Warm, humid weather | Spray off with water; apply insecticidal soap if persistent |
| Yellowing Leaves | Poor drainage | Improve soil aeration; avoid overwatering |
⚠️ Cautions
- Not invasive and safe to plant near natural areas.
- Avoid planting under eaves or walkways if you dislike dropped berries.
- Large mature size—plan ample space!
🌟 Is This Plant Right For You?
✅ Ideal for:
- Homeowners seeking a native, low-maintenance wildlife shrub
- Pollinator gardens, habitat restoration, and naturalized zones
- Anyone who loves a lush, tropical look that thrives without pampering
❌ Not ideal for:
- Tight garden spaces or small containers (choose ‘Compacta’ instead)
- Dense shade or constantly wet soil
🔥 Firebush Variety Comparison Guide
| Feature | Dwarf Firebush(Hamelia patens ‘Compacta’) | ‘Calusa’ Firebush(Hamelia patens ‘Calusa’) | Native Large-Leaf Firebush(Hamelia patens) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth Habit | Compact, rounded | Medium-sized, upright | Large, open, natural |
| Mature Size (H×W) | 3–4 × 3–4 ft | 5–7 × 4–6 ft | 8–12 × 6–10 ft |
| Leaf Type | Small, glossy | Medium, semi-glossy | Large, matte, lightly fuzzy |
| Flower Color | Bright orange-red | Deep reddish-orange | Fiery orange-red |
| Bloom Season | Year-round (Zones 9–11) | Spring–Fall; year-round in warm zones | Year-round in South FL; Spring–Fall elsewhere |
| Wildlife Value | Excellent for butterflies & hummingbirds | Outstanding for pollinators & birds | Highest native wildlife value |
| Cold Tolerance | Root-hardy to Zone 8b | Root-hardy to Zone 8b | Root-hardy to Zone 8a |
| Best Use | Small gardens, patio pots | Residential landscapes | Large yards, restoration sites |
| Maintenance | Low | Moderate | Low |
| Container Use | Excellent | Good (large pots) | Limited |
| Origin | Cultivar | Florida hybrid selection | Florida native species |
🚚 Shipping & Pickup
- Shipping: 3-gallon size ships UPS Ground on Mondays from Florida.
- Smaller Sizes (4” & 1-gallon): Best shipped to Florida, the Southeast, and Texas.
- Weather Disclaimer: Buyer discretion during peak heat or cold. We cannot guarantee plants affected by extreme transit temperatures.
Local Pickup (Retail Nursery):
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
❓ FAQ
Is this the true Florida native Firebush?
Yes — this is the native large-leaf species, not the imported var. glabra.
Does it die back in cold weather?
In Zones 8–9 it may freeze to the ground, but it reliably resprouts each spring.
Is it good for wildlife?
Absolutely! This is one of Florida’s most valuable native nectar and berry plants.
Can I prune it into a hedge?
Yes — it tolerates pruning well, though it prefers a natural form for maximum flowering.
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
We do more than grow plants—we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Onsite consultations & edible landscape design
- 🚜 Installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar, and soil materials
- 🤝 Wholesale & large-scale regenerative solutions
Let our team help you create your own thriving edible paradise — starting with Firebush! 🌺
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
-
For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
-
For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
-
We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
-
Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
-
Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
-
Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
-
Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
-
Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
