Chuparosa

Scientific Name: Justicia californica (Benth.) D.N. Gibson
Synonym: Beloperone californica
Family: Acanthaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: 10-13
USDA: 8b-10

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 20°F (-6°C), recovers if frozen to the ground in zone 8b

Heat Tolerance: Excellent

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade, tolerates reflected heat

Origin: Arizona, California (USA), Baja California (Mexico), 1000 to 2500 feet elevation (300-750 m)

Growth Habits: Medium-sized, rounded shrub, often leafless, cold and drought deciduous, up to 6 feet tall (1.8 m), 12 feet wide (3.6 m); felty gray, brittle, stems; leaves in the warm season, grayish green, simple, ovate leaves, covered with soft hairs, 0.25 to 1 inch long (6-25 mm)

Watering Needs: Little to no water when established, needs good drainage, grows faster with some water

Propagation: Cuttings in early summer

Blooming Habits:
The Chuparosa has red flowers, 1 to 2 inches long (2.5-5 cm), in clusters, on and off all year, most abundantly from mid-winter to mid-spring. The flowers attract hummingbirds.

Culture:
Fertilize and prune in late winter for optimal growth.