Lamiaceae Perennial if protected from freezing, grown as an annual in the temperate north. Highly decorative, with tall whorled spikes which hold arrays of long-tubed and curving orange flowers. Hummingbirds love them.
Children pluck the orange florets and suck out the copious nectar.
Locals have taken to smoking the leaves of this plant as a mood elevating substitute for more debilitating smokes. Get an early start when sowing these as an annual, since they require a long growing season to fully develop their potential. Sow seed in flats in the greenhouse. Germ in 5-9 days. Thin to 2 inch spacing.