Botanical Name: Hamelia patens
Common Name: Firecracker shrub, Firebush. Scarlet bush
Type of Plant: dicot: perennial
Character
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape upright, fast growing semi-woody shrub with a rounded growth form; species plant gets large and rangy while compact forms stay tight and dense
Height to 8 ft.
Spread up to 6 ft.
Growth Rate rapid
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors; full sun preferred; flowering is reduced in shady locations
Soil good drainage is essential
Hardiness tender: Zones 13, 23, 24
 
Morphology:
Leaves medium to gray-green leaves elliptic to oval, 6" long arranged in whorls of 3 to 7; veins and petioles tinged with reddish color
Flowers narrow tubular flowers arranged in terminal cymes; flowers reddish and tipped with orange, about 3/4" long blooms spring to fall
Fruit small berries, dark red to black when ripe
 
Propagation:
stem cuttings, seed
 
Usage:
an excellent source of warm spring and summer color; heavy blooming and attractive fruit make this a good wildlife attracter; useful in tropical or Mediterranean theme landscapes
 
Landscape Care:
Watering prefers regular watering; needs ample watering when in spring growth spurt; other times regular watering is sufficient
Fertilizing balanced fertilizer in spring
Pruning benefits from regular heading back to promote more flowers
Pests/Diseases none significant
Special Conditions/Other requires protection from frost; exposed plants die back
 
Origin: Carribean region to northern South America
Family: Rubiaceae
 
Notes:
 
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