I am beginning to think that this plant likes to be pot bound before it blooms. The ones I planted in the ground just keep growing and spreading and growing some more but no blooms. The rest that are in smaller pots are starting to bloom. The ones that are in pots are no where near the size of the ones in the ground. All were grown from seed sown at the same time.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Penny,
This has been my exact experience too.

Priya
Zone 7, Maryland

Penny,

We have also found this to be true and hummers have only recently started using this plant because it was hardly blooming before. Cuphea 'David Verity' has overall been a much better plant for us this season----it's been blooming now since June. It's hard to understand since Cuphea schumanii was so wonderful for us last season---maybe it's our cool summer---who knows?



Kathi and Michael Rock
Madison, Wisconsin
Zone 4/5

I wish I still had hummers to check it out and be able to compare it to DV. David Verity is growing and blooming all over the place. I already have cuttings started for next year but I will hate to see the demise of this great plant. For consistant long blooming I don't think you can beat David Verity.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

My shumannii was later to bloom this year maybe around august 1. But cuttings from those grew very fast and are also blooming and have been for some time. As far as hummers go havent seen any for the last 4 or 5 days.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

I must try Cuphea Schumanii next year. I wanted to get this one this year but I got bogged down in other things. I do hope I start out next spring better.

I have a line of David 'verity' in the bed next to my patio right where I have several feeders hung. I also have a giant cigar plant (can't remember the proper name). It is being worked over too. So nice to just wash dishes and see the hummingbirds enjoy the plants and feeders.

Dianne
Southeast Alabama
Heat Zone 8
Sunset Zone 31

We all should recall that Nancy advised that we stake or cage the plant. Mine has bloomed all summer but tended to sprawl along the ground. Secondary shoots have grown straight up about 3 feet from the sprawling stems sporting lush 6+ inch leaves and those stems are just beginning to flower.

Yes, Ward, Cuphea schumannii shows itself to best advantage for hummers when staked. Mine is held upright by a metal trellis and it is more than 6 feet tall with numerous side shoots poking out in all directions. It is not a neat, tidy plant, but that is not a requirement of my gardening style.

Interestingly, last week, Cuphea schumannii was 'taster's choice' in the front yard. At that time, I hosted a mere 2 or 3 birds. Things have changed this week. There is a new regime and I am seeing up to 5 at a time. Little Red Morning Glory seems to be getting the most action though the red Russelia equisetiformis is being well guarded.

In the back yard, both colors of Firespike are getting good action as are both forms of Russelia sarmentosa. A hybrid Malvaviscus has had a steady stream of admirers as well. This afternoon, a small, pink Cuphea cyanea had a customer too. A row of potted Smuggler's Vervains is also finding favor with the rowdy crowd.

My place never gets a big crowd in migration and this season it has been quite modest, but the past couple of days have been very active.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
USDA Zone 9

The Schumanii sown from seed in March(?) has performed exceptionally well. It didn't really take off till mid to late July but that is perfect timing for the Rufous here. It has been very floriferous and well taken to. I haven`t had any hummers since the 26th of August, shame cause it`s just sending out more and more flowers. Mine in the ground haven`t got as large as those in pots but are blooming well. Some of you might remember I thought I would never get these through the winter as they were so badly infested with whitefly, now cuttings are going to be tricky as they still troubled with whitefly although they thrived in spite of it. The plants are a real ant magnet here and now are getting aphids thanks to said creatures in sept. The nights are getting down to 9 or 10 celcius and we have had a fair bit of rain so I am not collecting a lot of seed though I got a bit and have had some germination and have a few going. As Nan pointed out the fat green seeds are viable.
Cuttings are proving a bit tricky as I didn`t realize this plant got as woody as it does.
All in all it is so far a winner here, nothing else like it as we don`t ever see the David Verity here.
Cuphea salvadorensis has not done as well by the hummers though I Won`t give up hope. Cuphea micropetala just stated putting on buds on Aug. 30 days after the hummers left, maybe just maybe one day an Anna`s will find it in the fall.
Am loving all your photos and posts but find myself with hardly enough time to keep up.
Cheri
(aka hummymummy, vancouver, b.c. canada z8)

Cheri did you get my e-mail?

I am hoping someone can collect seeds for this Cuphea and send them my way.


- Andrew - Southern Ontario, Canada - Zone 6
- Won't Get Fooled Again ~ The Who.

Penny,

I agree with your accessment of Schumannii this summer also. But now that the fall has arrived the ones planted in the ground are blooming nicely and the leaves are greener and it's just overall a happier plant stretching its legs in several parts of my garden. The plants in pots are yellowing and shriveling, probably due to the colder nights we are experiencing.


Cheri,

"Cuphea micropetala just stated putting on buds on Aug. 30"

My Micropetala started from seed in March STILL has not bloomed. It is branching out now though, could that be the start of something big??? Alas, another plant that will be babied indoors so I can possibly see a bloom next spring. Maybe it will bloom indoors???

Pam NJ 6B

The cool weather this year has set back many tropicals. At this time last year, the giant cuphea, leonotis leonurus and cannas were dazzling. The cannas have bloomed stingily this time, and buds are just forming on the other two. At this rate, I doubt I'll see blooms before frost. The last hummer stopped by 3 days ago.I can't complain though. The salvias and mina lobata are rocking on.

Priya
Zone 7, Maryland

It's funny how plants can differ so much even within the same planting zones. I have two schumanniis in pots with blooms starting but only one of the 6 that are in the ground that have bloom buds. The ones in the ground are much greener and healther for sure but taking their sweet time. The one in ground with buds also doesn't get quite as much sun as the others that are in the ground.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Andrew, I'll email you when I can collect some more seedpods, hopefully the nights aren't getting too cool for seed to set. Haven't had any Salvia B&B ripen yet.
Cheri
(aka hummymummy, vancouver, b.c. canada z8)