Two are native to the Sonoran Desert, and one other can tolerate the Southwest's high light and arid climate. Hardiness depends on the species. Hummingbird bush, beloperone, chuparosa. Full sun to light shade, informal background. All zones of xeriscape, any well-draining soil.
Bright flowers attract hummingbirds.
A member of the family Acanthaceae, justicia is characterized by red or orange bilaterally symmetrical tubular flowers that occur in clusters. Most justicias throughout the tropics and subtropics are pollinated by hummingbirds, some of which have beaks that exactly match the curve of the flower. In the Sonoran Desert, flowers are persistent most of the year, but are most abundant in spring. Ovate leaves are opposite on flattened stems and can be hairy or fuzzy. As is typical of many desert species, the leaves are sometimes cold or drought-deciduous.