Russelia Firecracker
Phonetic Spelling russ-EL-ee-ah eck-wiss-set-ih-FOR-miss DescriptionRusselia equisetiformis, or the Coral plant, is a deciduous, branching, tropical shrub measuring four feet by five feet at maturity that flowers profusely with small decumbent. Or trailing, red flowers.
Its arching branches and graceful form can make it appear as a fountain of bright red blooms. It can be grown in pots or baskets, in which case it should be brought indoors during the winter and treated as a houseplant in a warm, sunny site.
Russelia Firecracker Fern
As a houseplant, the Coral plant will continue to flower through the winter. You can also cut the plant back hard and store in a dark, cool, and dry site for placement outside in the spring. The plant grows easily in average, well-drained, soil and does best in medium moisture. Established plants, however, do well in dry soils and moist soils such as at the edge of a pond. You should, however, place the plant in a location that shelters it from wind. The form of the Coral plant is cascading and stems can root as the bend and touch the soil.
The rooted stems offer an opportunity to repot them as new plants.The Coral plant is a popular nectar plant for hummingbirds and butterflies and is moderately salt tolerant.Cultivars / Varieties:Tags. Attributes: Genus: Russelia Species: equisetiformis Family: Plantaginaceae Life Cycle: Annual Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Stem Cutting Country Or Region Of Origin: Mexico Wildlife Value: Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems): salt tolerant Dimensions: Height: 2 ft.
DescriptionA multi-branching plant with graceful, arching stems and an overall fountain-like habit. Both the stems and tiny oval leaves are bright green. During Summer, coral-red, tubular flowers are displayed profusely at the ends of the branches in 30cm long sprays that may persist throughout the year.
Will grow in both moist and slightly dry conditions but requires full sunlight and occasional pruning to flower well. Frost tender. Grow in a humus enriched, well drained soil and fertilise regularly.
Good for spilling over walls and rocks, mass planted, or for specimen planting. Attracts butterflies and birds.
Specifications DimensionsHeight: 1 to 1.75m, Width: 4mAspectFull sunOriginMexico and GuatemalaPests & diseasesNo major problemsTypical sizes200mmEnquire about this plant.