Firebush
Hamelia patens

These coffee relatives have red tubular flowers for all but the coldest months and berries that go from yellow, to orange, to red and finally black in late summer and most of the winter. It is naturally found in coastal and inland hammocks and prefers rich soils with organic matter and low levels of wind. Hummingbirds and butterflies visit the flowers and many birds including the cedar waxwings and catbirds eat the fruit.

The berries are edible yet not very tasty and the nectar is sweet when sucked from the flower. To maintain at a low hieght simply cut back to between ground level and two feet once a year. If not trimmed, it becomes a 15 foot shrub which can be limbed up to produce thick vertical branches for birds to hide in. Place a birdbath and feeder nearby.