Firecracker plant
Let’s celebrate July 4th, Independence Day, with a firecracker plant, Russelia equisetiformis. This sprawling bush explodes with color when its slender, tubular flowers burst with year-round, vivid coral-colored blooms. Although known for its bright coral blooms, it is also found in yellow or salmon color varieties. The plant’s cascading bloom spikes resemble the plummeting form of celebratory fireworks evoking its common festive name.
Firecracker plants have a wispy, rambling form growing 3-4 feet tall and up to 6 feet wide. Its leaves have a fern-like, fine texture adding a soft look to the landscape. Because of its sprawling habit, the firecracker plant makes an eye-catching, free-forming hedge.
It should not be planted near pathways or in any area requiring frequent trimming. Light trimming after blooming will keep the firecracker plant in bloom cycles, however, it may not recover from aggressive pruning.
Firecracker plants are native to Mexico, but are Florida friendly. Although drought and salt tolerant, firecracker plants prefer rich, well-draining soil with routine watering. They thrive in full sun, but will tolerate some shade. They do well in Zone 10 and can be found in Zones 9b through 11. They will not tolerate the lower temperatures found in less subtropical zones. Consequently, they will need to be covered or protected during cold spells.
The showy nature of the firecracker plant makes it best situated as an accent plant at the end of a flowerbed, an anchor in the corner of a bed, draping over rock gardens or walls or as a draping container plant. Wherever it is positioned, the firecracker plant will be a highlight of the garden as it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to its conspicuous blossoms.
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In other news, please be advised Cape Coral has revised its homeowner’s irrigation schedule for residences on well water and city water. Homeowners are back to a two-day watering schedule; however, days and times have been adjusted to accommodate more days and hours. According to the website, the added time slots will help manage water demand, pressure and flow. To see your new day and time, please visit the following website: https://www.capecoral.gov/newdetail_T3_R565.php
More importantly, as a Florida friendly gardener, please remember we are now in rainy season and may not need to use supplemental irrigation in our gardens two days a week. Gardeners will help their plants immensely by not overwatering. Check irrigation systems to ensure rain sensors are properly installed and working. If the sensors are not working properly, monitor the weather and turn off irrigation systems 24 hours before or after a good soaking rain. Your plants will be much happier for your attentiveness.
Happy gardening!
Deborah Haggett is a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer and a member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral. Visit us at www.gardenclubofcapecoral.com
References
Firecracker Plant. (2022). South Florida Plant Guide. Retrieved June 23, 2022, from https://www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/firecracker-plant.html
Firecracker Plant – University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. (2021, September 21). UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions. Retrieved June 23, 2022, from https://gardeningsolutions. ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/firecracker-plant.html
Gilman, E. F. (1999, October). Russelia equisetiformis. UF/IFAS. Retrieved June 23, 2022, from https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/rusequa.pdf
New Citywide Lawn Watering Schedule Now in Effect. (2022, June 15). CapeCoral.Gov. Retrieved June 23, 2022, from https://www.capecoral.gov/newdetail_T3_R565.php