Search
Close this search box.

Chuparosa

Justicia californica

Description

The native Chuparosa is a medium to large mounding shrub with a dense branching habit, often growing 4-6 ft. tall, 6-8 ft. wide. Tiny 1/2 in. long leaves drop during periods of moisture stress. Rich orange to red flowers are produce in abundance in early spring, much to the delight of hummingbirds.

Chuparosa is native across low desert regions of California, Arizona and Mexico where it grows in sandy soils along seasonal washes. It is a colorful desert native that provides good wildlife and ornamental value, needing little care and low amounts of summer water. It is a bright flowering accent shrub that fits the southwestern style palette with palo verde trees in the Inland Empire.

Plant Type: Shrub, Native
Foliage Character: Drought deciduous
Habit: Sprawling, Mounding, Dense
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage Color: Pale green
Flower Color: Red
Flower Season: Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Sand
Exposure Adaptations: Heat, Drought, Aridity, All day sun
Function: Wildlife value, Slopes, Parks and open space, Hummingbird plant, Flowering accent plant, Background plant
Height: 4 ft. – 6 ft.
Width: 6 ft. – 8 ft.

Set your preferred view

Choose between a list or map view of all signs found in our waterwise garden and park.

Welcome to the Waterwise Garden Digital Tour

This is a digital registry created to offer further information on the physical signs in our waterwise garden and park premises.

Would you like a few tips on how to use this tool?

Move around

Travel to different sections of our garden and park premises by using the horizontal scrollbar at the top.

Locate your sign​

Using the map view, you can preview what each specific sign is about by tapping on the plus icon.

Refer back to these tips

You can view these tips at any time by tapping the Help link in the top left.