Stachytarpheta mutabilis

Stachytarpheta mutabilis is also known as coral porterweed. Other names are pink false vervain, pink snakeweed, red snakeweed, and pink rat tail. It is a verbena relative that is heat and humidity tolerant.

I've noticed that it is a fantastic magnet for hummingbirds. I've even seen them pass up other hummingbird-attracting flowers for these flowers. It attracts butterflies too, but I usually notice the hummingbirds drinking up the nectar from the flowers.

I've been growing it in large containers since 2009, when I first saw it on the Bustani Plant Farm website when they used to mail plants. They don't have mail order anymore, but I try to get this wonderful plant every year from other sources because it is a tender perennial in zone 6a.



It's beautiful, colorful, and easy to grow, and the flowers always entice the hummingbirds.



There are other colors of porterweed (Stachytarpheta) that I've grown, but I've had the best success with this variety of porterweed.