Botanical Name: Odontonema strictum
Common Name: Cardinal’s guard Type of Plant: dicot: shrub Habit of Growth: Overall Shape Upright, rangy, shrubby perennial forming an overall rounded shape, becoming dense with age Height to 8' Spread to 8' Growth Rate moderate Environment: Exposure outdoors partial shade to full sun near the coast Soil prefers a rich, moist, well-amended soil Hardiness Tender – Zones 23 and 24, otherwise indoors Morphology: Leaves oblong to elliptical, to 6" long, oppositely arranged, margins often undulate Flowers terminal spikes of small scarlet tubular flowers each about 1" long; flowers appear in late spring to summer Fruit small capsule Propagation: easily rooted from stem cuttings Usage: tropical specimen, large scale filler or background plant in tropical landscapes; can also be used as a large scale hedge; intensely colored blooms are good in arrangements Landscape Care: Watering needs regular watering, not drought tolerant Fertilizing balanced fertilizer two to three times yearly Pruning can be headed hard after danger of frost has passed Pests/Diseases scale, thrips, mealybug Special Conditions/Other pinch back regularly to induce bushiness Origin: Central America Family: Acanthaceae Notes: |
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