{"title":"Cuphea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCuphea\u003c\/em\u003e is a genus of herbaceous or small woody plants that is related to lagerostroemia (crape myrtle) and lythrum (loosestrife). Like its botanical cousins, cuphea produces clusters of colorful flowers over a long period of time in the summer. Cuphea is a large genus , with around 260 species of mostly tropical members that are native from the Southeast US, through Mexico and Guatemala and into South America.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlso known as Mexican heather or cigar plant, cuphea is popular in gardens both as an annual and perennial plant, but some selections, like the ones we offer, are somewhat winter hardy. Some Mexican heather selections have bright red, orange, and yellow tubular flowers that hummingbirds and butterflies absolutely love. In addition to its ornamental characteristics, Cuphea is becoming a valuable agricultural crop for honey production, fallow soil improvement or crop rotation, and as a temperate oilseed replacement for imported palm and coconut oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMexican heather plants prefer warm climates and full to part sun. Well-drained soil is a a must, especially in winter to prevent root rot. For those of you in the North, bring your Mexican heather indoors for the winter and it will make a fine houseplant.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"cuphea-micropetala","title":"Cuphea micropetala","description":"\u003cp\u003eThank goodness horticultural amnesty has allowed this Mexican immigrant to remain in the US. Cuphea micropetala forms a stunning 3.5' tall x 6' wide deciduous clump topped, starting for us in mid-September, with small tubular flowers that line the upper 1' of each stem. The flowers open bright yellow but as the flowers age, the base turns orange-red before the entire flower takes on that color. The results are bicolor flowers so beloved by the butterflies and hummingbirds we have to declare a temporary no-fly zone while we take cuttings. Although little-known, the medicinal oils from the foliage are used to treat liver and spleen ailments, but, no Lucy, we can't ex-spleen how. In cold climates, Cuphea micropetala may be slow to return in spring but our plants have been reliable, returning from 8 degrees F, as long as they get plenty of summer heat.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWatch our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/9NvYFR7pOkI\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePlant Spotlight\u003c\/a\u003e video for more information.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21027620421,"sku":"6807","price":23.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Cuphea-micropetala.i-6807.s-66621.r-1_722c9a31-3f73-411c-ab93-0e88cf7d81f4.jpg?v=1790093573"},{"product_id":"cuphea-cyanea-ashevilla","title":"Cuphea cyanea Ashevilla","description":"\u003cp\u003eCuphea cyanea is one of those plants that simply shouldn't have any winter hardiness, but that's one of the lovely things about plants not being able to read. Hailing from the southern Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, I was astounded upon seeing it in the Asheville, NC garden of Jasmin and Peter Gentling, where it made a reliable perennial. Shared cuttings have thrived in our garden trials since 2013, so in 2018, it became a Plant Delights\/JLBG introduction. Cuphea cyanea 'Ashevilla' forms a dainty-looking 1' tall x 18\" wide airy mound, topped, from late summer through frost with hundreds of tiny dangling pink flowers, each highlighted by a yellow tip, and two cinnamon eyes...seriously cute. Light shade or morning sun in rich soils is best. Cuphea cyanea was the winner of the prestigious RHS Award of Merit in 1978.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":12454290554903,"sku":"11924","price":23.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Cuphea-cyanea-Ashevilla.i-11924.s-67382.r-1_b5fd78e7-3a2b-40bd-92e2-143f2aa41598.jpg?v=1787671830"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/collections\/Cuphea-cyanea-Ashevilla-1900x350_d7318b4a-bff4-4ad9-8e3f-ea721f21c9b8.jpg?v=1687532563","url":"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/cuphea.oembed","provider":"Plant Delights Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}