Botanical Name: Cuphea micropetala
Common Name: Giant cigar plant Type of Plant: dicot: perennial Habit of Growth: Overall Shape A rounded, sprawling perennial/sub-shrub with upright stems terminating in clusters of yellow an red tubular flowers Height to 4' Spread to 4' Growth Rate rapid Environment: Exposure outdoors full sun to partial shade Soil tolerates any soil with good drainage Hardiness Some frost – zones 16-24 Morphology: Leaves elliptical, dark green, to 5" long, oppositely arranged; foliage has a slightly abrasive texture, reddish stems are somewhat sticky Flowers tubular flowers reddish orange at base, yellow-green at the ends; born in dense terminal spikes throughout the warm season Fruit small papery capsule Propagation: stem cuttings Usage: potent hummingbird attractor, filler for open slopes and warm areas; good in rustic landscapes where sprawling habit and rangy appearance are not a problem; mixes with other Mediterranean plants Landscape Care: Watering takes average watering, tolerates some drought when established Fertilizing slow-release fertilizer in spring Pruning head back in late fall to control size and keep dense Pests/Diseases none significant Special Conditions/Other Origin: Mexico Family: Lythraceae Notes: |
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