All hummingbirds and many butterflies relish the flame acanthus.

BY NORMAN WINTER - McClatchy Newspapers

The flame acanthus has leapt to the top of my list of hummingbird plants.

The flame acanthus is also known as hummingbird bush, and it stunningly lives up to both names. For more than six weeks, it has been thrilling with the flaming orange blooms - and with the flying visitors they attract, such as the Ruby Throated and the Buff-bellied hummingbirds that dart around like flying acrobats while feasting on the nectar. The Orange-barred Sulphur and Giant Swallowtail butterflies are also there, as the blooms appear to be simply irresistible.

Flame acanthus is known botanically as Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightiit. It is a drought-tolerant, tough perennial through Zone 7 and a terrific annual elsewhere. Although I have been touting its valuable nectar, the plant also serves as host for the larva of the Janais Patch and Texan Crescentspot butterflies.

The flame acanthus comes from a great family of hummingbird and butterfly plants. A few of the others are the Brazilian red cloak, the yellow shrimp plant, Pachystachys lutea, Mexican shrimp plant, Justicia brandegeana, firespike, Ondontenema strictum and Mexican Honeysuckle ( Justicia spicigera).

It attracts virtually no pest other than butterflies and is both drought- and cold-tolerant. Luxuriant soil is not required, but it does perform best with good drainage in full to partial sun. Dig your planting hole two to three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper, setting the plant at the same depth it is growing in the container. For moisture conservation and to deter weed growth, apply a good layer of mulch.

They will develop a spreading, shrub-like habit, reaching about 4 feet in height. The flaming orange color just screams to be planted with blue flowers for a dazzling complementary color scheme. For a country cottage garden, combine with varieties of the Salvia farinacea or mealy cup sage like Victoria Blue, Cathedral Deep Blue or the taller Indigo Spires salvia.

The Nanho Blue or Empire Blue buddleia, or butterfly bush, would make a partnership for butterfly and hummingbird heaven.