Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2001 11:09:39 EST
From: Doris Hope <FloGo18@AOL.COM>
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast
<HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu>
To: HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Ruttya Fruticosa

Howard,
I have grown Ruttya fruticosa for years here along the Mississippi gulf
coast. It has just finished blooming, having started in late summer. Seed
pods are now almost mature. I leave it outside in the ground and it acts as a
prennial for me. It produces copious amounts of nectar and the hummers do use
it.

The first Ruttya f. I saw was years ago in a nursery greenhouse in Texas.
It was obviously an old, well loved plant kept in a very large pot to be
moved in and out by the owner. I talked to her at length and the only name
she knew was "orange bird." She hadn't tried to propagte it since it was a
tropical. I was very impressed with the nectar production so did research
until I found the name and a souse.

I like the orange flowering over the yellow. It seems hardier. Of course,
I take the stakes out, bend it down and throw an old blanket over it if
severe cold is expected. Otherwise a heavy leaf mulch will do.

Hope you try it in a pot. Good luck.
Doris Hope, Diamondhead, Ms.