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    • Photo of Gambelia speciosa flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Photo by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Gambelia speciosa

    Also Known As

    • Galvezia speciosa
    • Island Bush Snapdragon

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 2'-3'
    • W: 4'-5'

    planting zones

    • 9a-11

    More Options

    Gambelia speciosa plant details

    Gambelia speciosa is a broadleaf evergreen perennial with green foliage. In fall, spring and summer red flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in clay and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and seaside / salt tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Gambelia speciosa

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: plantaginaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 4 FT - 5 FT - wide, 2 FT - 3 FT - tall
    Flowers: red blooms in fall, spring and summer
    Uses: long-blooming, native plant, xeric, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Gambelia speciosa

    USDA Zones: 9a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: heat and seaside / salt
    Soil needs: clay and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Grown in open areas this California native will form a small, broad evergreen shrub, but with support it has a tendency to climb and can reach 6-8' in these situations. The leaves are about 1" long and half again as wide. Scarlet, tubular flowers, cluster at the tips of branches in mid-spring and intermittently throughout the year. Provide full sun near the coast and light shade inland. Water only moderately or infrequently as established plants are tolerant of drought; also tolerate most soils so long as they have drainage. May be used in hanging baskets or as a vine to cover fences or trellises. A hummingbird favorite. Hardy to 20 °F. Santa Catalina, San Clemente, and Guadalupe Islands.

    By: Native Sons

    It takes hard work to get this plant to look bad! Evergreen branches are tipped with clusters of 1” red, snapdragon-like flowers on this interesting California native from the Channel Islands. Grows well in tough soils, including clay, & is a veritable hummingbird hot spot when in bloom. The form is mounded – up to 3’ high, & 4-5’ wide from a woody base. Adapts well to dry conditions (especially in the shade) & has a very long bloom season – late Spring through Fall. Its lax stems allow it to be both a groundcover (if planted in the open), or a vining shrub that will grow up through lattice work, small trees, or shrubs. On the coast, this species can go completely dry in the Summer – inland it likes a bit more water.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Gardening facts about Gambelia speciosa plant

    How to Grow Gambelia speciosa

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - dappled shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • adaptable
      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • seaside / salt tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • red

    • Wildlife

      • hummingbirds

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • fall
      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glossy

    See other plant types of Gambelia for your garden

    Gambelia speciosa 'Pink Panther'

    aka Galvezia speciosa 'Pink Panther', Pink Panther Island Bush Snapdragon

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Perennial

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 4'-5'

    • sun - shade
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Gambelia speciosa 'Pink Panther' flower, foliage by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
    View Plant

    More Options

    +3 more Gambelia
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