FRESH PICK WHAT TO PLANT THIS WEEK.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Staff Writer

Cuphea

NEATLY trimmed privet hedges are an elegant choice for borders and pathways, but the hearty perennial called cuphea does the same job with a bonus: During the summer, it blooms with colorful little flowers that attract hummingbirds.

Cuphea (lythraceae), a semi-woody flowering shrub, is native to Mexico and Central America so it thrives in Southern California's hot summers, says Angel Contreras, manager of Target's Garden Center in Woodland Hills.

GETTING STARTED: Cuphea plants are now arriving in nurseries, usually in 1-gallon pots, and should be planted during the cooler part of the day (early morning or late afternoon) about 1 foot apart in soil that's been loosened and mixed with potting soil. Water after planting.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE: As the cuphea shrubs grow - 1 to 4 feet tall, depending on the variety you choose - they'll blend together like other hedges and will need regular trimming. When they're mature, they'll need to be trimmed back more severely in late fall or early spring before the flowers bloom. You also can keep them looking compact by pinching off the tips of shoots. Although cuphea does well in the heat, it is not drought-resistant and needs regular watering - just like any other hedge.

VARIETIES: Cuphea comes in four varieties, including Mexican/Hawaiian heather, which is known for tiny pink, purple or white flowers; cigar plants named for their tubular orange flowers; micropetala, named for yellow-tipped red flowers; and the bat-faced cuphea with long red-and-purple flowers (ideal for hummingbirds). Naturally found along the stream banks of Mexico, the bat-faced cuphea thrives in this area and can grow up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide, says Contreras. It can also spread by seeds.

LANDSCAPE TIPS: Since the bat-faced cuphea likes to be near water, Contreras says it would look good near a pond, birdbath or fountain with other water-friendly plants such as cyperus (also called papyrus), an African grasslike perennial plant known for its striking form and silhouette. Also consider salvia (sage), a perennial usually seen with tall purple flowers but also available in red and blue. These plants are now available at local nurseries.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Talk to your local nursery staffers, professional gardeners or local garden club. To learn more about plants for your area, consult the ``Sunset Western Garden Book'' (Sunset; $32.95), and for detailed step-by-step instructions on how to plant a perfect hedge, see ``Yard & Garden Basics'' (Better Homes and Gardens; $24.95) available at book stores and garden centers.

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The bat-faced cuphea is said to resemble the animal after which it's named. Cuphea thrives in Southern California's hot summers.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer