Marmalade Bush: A Vibrant Orange Bloomer for Warm Climate Gardens
If you’re looking to add a splash of bright orange to your garden that blooms almost year-round, the marmalade bush (Streptosolen jamesonii) might catch your eye. This cheerful shrub gets its common name from the marmalade-orange color of its abundant tubular flowers, which create stunning cascades of color in warm climate gardens.
What Is Marmalade Bush?
Marmalade bush is a perennial, multi-stemmed woody shrub that typically grows 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) in height, though it can sometimes grow taller or remain more compact depending on growing conditions. Native to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru in South America, this flowering shrub has found its way into gardens around the world thanks to its reliable blooming habit and eye-catching flowers.
Where Does It Grow?
In the United States, marmalade bush has naturalized in Hawaii, where it grows as a non-native species that reproduces on its own in the wild. It’s important to note that while it’s established in Hawaii’s landscape, it’s not native to the islands.
Why Gardeners Love (and Question) Marmalade Bush
The biggest draw of marmalade bush is undoubtedly its spectacular flowering display. The bright orange, trumpet-shaped blooms appear in clusters and attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. In warm climates, you can expect flowers almost continuously throughout the year, making it a reliable source of color when many other plants are taking a break.
However, since marmalade bush isn’t native to most areas where it’s grown, some gardeners prefer to choose native alternatives that provide similar benefits while supporting local ecosystems. If you’re in a region with suitable native flowering shrubs that attract pollinators, consider researching those options first.
Garden Design and Landscape Uses
Marmalade bush is quite versatile in the landscape. You can:
- Train it as a climbing vine against walls or trellises
- Let it cascade over slopes or retaining walls
- Use it as a specimen shrub in tropical or Mediterranean-style gardens
- Grow it in large containers (especially useful in cooler climates where you can move it indoors)
It works particularly well in tropical and subtropical gardens, Mediterranean-style landscapes, and anywhere you want to create a bold focal point with warm-colored blooms.
Growing Conditions and Care
Marmalade bush is relatively easy to grow if you can provide the right conditions:
Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 9-11. It’s frost-tender, so gardeners in cooler zones will need to treat it as a container plant that can be protected or brought indoors during winter.
Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade for best flowering.
Soil: Needs well-draining soil. It’s not particular about soil type but won’t tolerate waterlogged conditions.
Water: Likes regular watering but allows the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Planting and Care Tips
Getting the most out of your marmalade bush involves some basic care practices:
- Plant in spring after the last frost in marginal zones
- Provide regular fertilizer during the growing season to support continuous blooming
- Prune regularly to maintain desired shape and size – it can get quite large if left unchecked
- In zone 9, provide frost protection during cold snaps
- If growing in containers, ensure pots have drainage holes and use a well-draining potting mix
Wildlife Benefits
The tubular orange flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds, and butterflies also visit the blooms. If supporting local wildlife is a priority, this can be a positive aspect, though native plants typically provide more comprehensive ecosystem benefits.
The Bottom Line
Marmalade bush can be a stunning addition to warm climate gardens, offering nearly year-round color and attracting pollinators. While it’s not native to most areas where it’s grown, it’s not currently listed as invasive. If you choose to grow it, you’ll be rewarded with reliable blooms and relatively easy care. However, if you’re committed to native gardening, research native alternatives in your area that might provide similar aesthetic and wildlife benefits while supporting your local ecosystem.
Whether you choose marmalade bush or a native alternative, the key is creating a garden that brings you joy while being mindful of your local environment.
