Keckiella cordifolia
heartleaf keckiella
Southern California and northern Baja California
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesAttracts HummingbirdsDrought Tolerant
Native to North America
Overview
Keckiella cordifolia is a sprawling, scrambling shrub in the plantain family, sometimes called heartleaf or climbing penstemon. It grows 3-6 feet (1-1.8 m) tall as a freestanding shrub but can clamber 8-10 feet (2.4-3 m) up through neighboring shrubs using its long, arching stems. The opposite leaves are heart-shaped to oval, 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long, with toothed edges and a slightly glossy surface. From late spring into summer it bears clusters of tubular red to orange-red flowers about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) long, narrowed at the mouth, held along the upper stems. The tubular red flowers are pollinated mainly by hummingbirds. It grows in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and shaded canyons of southern California, often on north-facing slopes and along streambeds. During summer drought it drops some or all of its leaves, leafing out again with cooler, wetter weather. The dry seed capsules split to release small seeds. Its loose, scrambling habit needs room or a support and can look open and twiggy out of bloom.
Native Range
Keckiella cordifolia is native to southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico. It grows in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and shaded canyons, often on north-facing slopes and near streambeds below about 5,000 feet (1,500 m).Suggested Uses
Keckiella cordifolia is used in native and habitat gardens, dry shade and chaparral plantings, and slopes for erosion control in mild-climate regions. Its red tubular flowers suit hummingbird gardens, and its scrambling stems can be trained on a fence or through larger shrubs. It combines with other California natives such as sages, currants, and coffeeberry.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread4' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from late spring into summer, mainly May to July. Clusters of red-orange tubular flowers open along the upper stems over several weeks. Hummingbirds are the main pollinators, drawn to the red tubular shape. Dry capsules form after bloom and split to shed seed in late summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
red to orange-redFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Keckiella cordifolia grows in full sun to part shade and dry, well-drained soils typical of coastal scrub and chaparral. Once established it is drought tolerant and needs no summer water; summer irrigation in heavy soil can cause root problems. It is drought-deciduous, dropping leaves in the dry season and releafing with autumn and winter rains. The plant is hardy in roughly USDA zones 8 through 10 and tolerates the mild, dry-summer climate of its range. It can be grown from seed or from cuttings taken in the cooler months. Its rambling stems benefit from a nearby shrub or trellis to lean on.Pruning
Pruning is done after flowering or in late winter, cutting back long, twiggy stems to keep the shrub dense and within bounds. Hard pruning every few years renews an old, open plant. Spent flower stems can be removed once bloom finishes.Pruning Schedule
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summerwinter