Hesperaloe parviflora

Description: Hesperaloe parviflora is a clumping plant with narrow, dark green arching leaves that grow from the base. Leaves are deeply channeled, have very thin, tightly curled marginal fibers and can grow to 4 feet long, but usually are about 2 feet long. Red Flowered Hesperaloe starts as a single plant, but eventually forms clumps to 3 feet across. A 4 foot to 7 foot tall flower spike shoots from the center of the leaves in summer and fall. Flowers are narrow, tubular and vary in color from salmon to various shades of red, rarely a yellow flowered form is available. These flowers are perfect for attracting hummingbirds.

Habitat and Distribution: Hesperaloe parviflora is native from central Texas south and west into northern Mexico.

Culture: Hesperaloe parviflora is hardy to at least 0 degrees F. Plants are very drought tolerant, surviving on less than 10 inches of annual rainfall. They have a moderate growth rate, but will grow faster and flower better if given some supplemental water from late spring through early fall. For the best specimen, place the plant in full sun or reflected sun and do not over water. Red Flowered Hesperaloe tolerates most soil types and grows quite well in native, desert soil without any amendments added. Virtually no maintenance is required unless you want to remove the old flower spikes.

Uses: Red Flowered Hesperaloe blends well with plants that have a subtropical appearance like palms, Cycas revoluta, and Lysiloma watsoni. It also mixes easily with more desert appearing plants such as Agave species, Dasylirion species, and Yucca species. It can be plant singly and allowed to clump naturally, or massed together for a spectacular flower display. Hesperaloe parviflora can be used around pools or in the transition or arid zone along with other xeriphytic plants. Red Flowered Hesperaloe is compatible with many low water use shrubs also. Some good companion plants would include: Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii, Dalea capitata Sierra Gold ™, Dalea pulchra, Gaura lindheimeri, Salvia greggii, and Sophora secundiflora.
 

Typical red flower form of Hesperaloe parviflora planted in a Tucson, Arizona landscape.	Typical red flower form of Hesperaloe parviflora planted in a Tucson, Arizona landscape.
The yellow flower form of Hesperaloe parviflora planted in a Tucson, Arizona landscape.

To print Hit the Blue Agave