Hummingbird's trumpet (Zauschneria 'Orange Carpet')
Zauschneria 'Orange Carpet' offers vibrant orange-red Hummingbird's trumpet blooms, requiring full sun and dry conditions for xeriscaping success.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’, widely known as Hummingbird’s trumpet or California fuchsia, is a valuable selection for gardeners seeking vibrant, late-season color paired with minimal water needs. This low-growing, trailing perennial thrives in harsh, sunny locations where many other plants struggle. Its primary appeal lies in its spectacular burst of orange-red, tubular flowers that commence blooming in mid-summer and continue well into fall.
This specific cultivar, Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’, provides gardeners with improved cold hardiness over the species, making it adaptable across several USDA zones. As a drought-tolerant ground cover, it is superb for sunny slopes or rock gardens where excellent drainage is assured. The tubular blossoms are magnets for hummingbirds, offering dynamic wildlife interest late in the growing season.
Cultivating Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’ is usually straightforward, provided its singular, critical need—excellent soil drainage—is met. It fits perfectly into xeriscaping designs or dry mixed borders, adding texture and reliable, low-maintenance performance from spring through leaf drop.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Onagraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.33-0.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.75 ft
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Bloom Description: Orange-red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’ during the spring after the danger of frost has passed, ensuring the location receives uninterrupted full sun throughout the day. The soil must be lean, sandy, or rocky with superb drainage; this plant actively dislikes heavy clay, overly rich media, or areas where water pools. Excellent drainage is crucial, especially heading into winter, as saturated winter roots are often fatal.
Watering should be infrequent once the plants are established; Hummingbird’s trumpet is highly drought tolerant. Provide supplemental irrigation only during the initial establishment period. In established landscapes, rainfall is often sufficient save for prolonged, extreme dry spells. Fertilizing is rarely necessary and can actually reduce flowering vigor.
Pruning is minimal. In early spring, cut back any non-evergreen stems that have died back from winter cold, tidying the plant for the new growing season. ‘Orange Carpet’ boasts improved cold hardiness, making it reliably hardy in Zones 5-9, although Zone 7 growers should ensure winter mulch and a protected site.
Landscape Uses
The trailing habit and tolerance for lean, dry soil make Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’ exceptionally useful as a sprawling ground cover on slopes or banks where erosion control is desired. It excels in rock gardens and alpine settings, cascading down steps or over retaining walls, highlighting its suitability for vertical interest in dry areas.
Consider planting it alongside other sun-loving, drought-tolerant perennials such as Sedums, Artemisia, or certain ornamental grasses to create a resilient, low-water tapestry. Its vibrant orange-red flowers provide a necessary hot spot color contrast in mixed borders that peak later in the summer season. Furthermore, because of its robust cultural needs, it thrives in containers specifically designed for dry conditions, such as unglazed terracotta pots.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Zauschneria, commonly called hummingbird’s trumpet or California fuchsia, is a genus of around 6 species of perennial, evergreen subshrubs native to dry, desert slopes and scrubland of western North America. The red to orange-red, tubular flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds. ‘Orange Carpet’ is a low-growing, hybrid selection of hummingbird’s trumpet that features bright orange-red blooms and a trailing habit, maturing to about 6” tall and spreading nearly 2 feet wide, with its main bloom period running from mid-summer into early fall.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
Potential Problems
Overly wet and poorly drained soils will likely prove fatal to Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’, regardless of how much sun it receives. Prevention focuses entirely on site selection and soil preparation to ensure moisture moves away rapidly. Watch for slugs, especially when young plants are establishing. Susceptible to leaf spot diseases common to members of the evening primrose family; ensuring good air circulation can help mitigate fungal issues. Fortunately, deer tend to avoid this plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Hummingbird’s trumpet suitable for?
Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9, offering wide adaptability across many regions due to this specific cultivar’s improved cold tolerance.
How large does Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’ grow?
This low-growing plant typically reaches a mature height between 0.33 and 0.5 feet tall, spreading horizontally to cover an area between 1 and 1.75 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Hummingbird’s trumpet need?
This plant requires full sun exposure to achieve its best flowering performance and maintain a compact, healthy habit.
When does Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’ bloom?
The striking orange-red flowers of this plant are displayed prominently from July through September, providing crucial late-summer color.
Conclusion
For gardeners prioritizing water conservation and late-season visual impact, Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’ is an indispensable choice, transforming dry, sunny sites into vibrant habitats for hummingbirds. This unique entry into the perennial garden provides low maintenance and excellent drought tolerance once established. Check your local hardiness zone compatibility now and plan to incorporate this resilient Hummingbird’s trumpet into your next xeriscape project.
Companion Planting
When selecting neighbors for Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’, focus on species that share an affinity for excellent drainage and full sun exposure. Plants that resent wet feet mimic the preferred conditions for this California native. Consider pairing it with Sentinel Sage (Salvia greggii) cultivars or various low-growing Penstemons, which will complement the orange tones while maintaining similar dry cultural needs.
These companions further enhance the drought-tolerant nature of the planting scheme. Grouping Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’ with other structural, sun-loving succulents or Mediterranean herbs ensures that supplemental summer irrigation remains unnecessary, promoting the health of the entire grouping.
Wildlife Benefits
The principal wildlife value of Hummingbird’s trumpet comes directly from its flower structure. The tubular, nectar-rich orange-red blossoms are perfectly sized and colored to attract specialized feeders. Hummingbirds actively seek out these late-season blooms when many earlier flowering plants have finished their cycle.
By planting an area of Zauschneria ‘Orange Carpet’, you are creating a reliable nectar corridor as summer transitions to fall. This serves as an essential fueling station for migrating hummingbirds preparing for their long journeys south. Its low profile also offers minimal cover but excellent access to the floral resources.
