Native Texas plume or standing cypress's early summer blooms are pillars of fiery red tubular flowers opening from the top to the bottom of the tall spikes. Hummingbirds and hawkmoths will seek them out and feast on their sweet nectar. Adaptable, they provide a blast of color and dramatic vertical form to dry and medium moisture meadow gardens and the border. Add wood ashes or lime to acid eastern soils to sweeten the deal. After flowering, cut down the spike; often a second spike shoots up. Leave a few to ripen seed and self-sow. Variable with some yellow flowers.