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Firebush in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Hamelia patens

 

Firebush

This small, fast growing woody evergreen shrub produces a showy mass of tubular, bright red flowers (cymes). When the flowering is over, a mass of clusters of berries ripen from green, to yellow, red and then finally to black. The foliage then turns deep red in the autumn. Height to 2.4m. It thrives in warmer climates and even in temperate ones, as long as the soil remains above freezing. Hamelia patens also makes a lovely flowering indoor Bonsai.

 
plant Features
  • Firebush likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Firebush likes occasional watering

    Occasional watering

  • Firebush is frost hardy: 23f (-5°c)

    Frost Hardy: 23F (-5°C)

  • Firebush likes moist and free draining

    Moist and free draining

 
plant information

Common name

Firebush

Latin name

Hamelia patens

type

Perennial Shrub

family

Rubiaceae

ph

5.0 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    Firebush likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Frost

    Firebush is frost hardy: 23f (-5°c)

    Frost Hardy: 23F (-5°C)

  • Soil

    Firebush likes moist and free draining

    Moist and free draining

  • Water

    Firebush likes occasional watering

    Occasional watering

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Firebush is 3.50meters x 2.40meters 3.50 M 2.40 M

Hamelia patens

This small, fast growing woody evergreen shrub produces a showy mass of tubular, bright red flowers (cymes). When the flowering is over, a mass of clusters of berries ripen from green, to yellow, red and then finally to black. The foliage then turns deep red in the autumn. Height to 2.4m. It thrives in warmer climates and even in temperate ones, as long as the soil remains above freezing. Hamelia patens also makes a lovely flowering indoor Bonsai.


Planting young plants

From Early Spring TO Early Spring

Plant young plantsin in average, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Full sun is better for increased flowering. Needs good drainage and does best in high heat. In temperate or cold climates, plant in a container to winter indoors if desired or, grow as an annual.

 

Propagation by cuttings

From Early Spring TO Mid Spring

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring. Cleanly cut up to a 10cm long stems, remove lower leaves and pinch the tip out, dip the stem into rooting hormone, fill a container/pot with suitable compost, make holes around the edge of it and plant the cuttings, water in well, cover with a polythene bag and place somewhere warm, lake the bag off twice a week to air the cuttings. Keep the cuttings moist until well rooted.Harden off when well rooted and pot on into individual pots increasing the airing to let the leaves to develop. Remove rotten, dying or dead cuttings regularly

 
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