Russelia equisetiformis
Firecracker Plant
Russelia can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs, with arching, almost leafless, and clusters of tubular red, pink or white flowers. Russellia Equisetiformis is a native of Mexico. It is an evergreen shrub with arching stems of 1m or more, bearing small, scale-like leaves that soon fall, and 3 cm. long, red tubular flowers in pendent clusters from Spring to Autumn
Contributed by @petecross
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Full sun
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Occasional watering
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Not Frost hardy
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Free draining
Common name
Firecracker Plant
Latin name
Russelia equisetiformis
type
Evergreen or deciduous shrub
family
Plantaginaceae
ph
6.5 - 7.5 Acid - Neutral
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
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When the plant will bloom
full grown dimensions
Russelia equisetiformis
Russelia can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs, with arching, almost leafless, and clusters of tubular red, pink or white flowers. Russellia Equisetiformis is a native of Mexico. It is an evergreen shrub with arching stems of 1m or more, bearing small, scale-like leaves that soon fall, and 3 cm. long, red tubular flowers in pendent clusters from Spring to Autumn
Flowering
From Early Spring TO Late Winter
Clusters of 1.25" long tubular flowers appear on arching stems from late Spring right through until early Autumn - or all year round, in warm climates
Planting
From Early Spring TO Late Spring
If planting in containers, use a loam-based compost, such as John Innes No. 2, that has had some grit or sharp sand added. If planting outdoors, plant in a sheltered, frost-free, sunny position, in free-draining soil
Propagating by cuttings
From Early Spring TO Early Summer
Take softwood cuttings from new growth early in the day in Spring or early Summer. Cut, neatly, a 4" approx. piece of a non-flowering shoot, pinch out the tip, and cut off the bottom leaves. Dip the bottom of the cutting in hormone rooting powder, and carefully place in a pot of cutting compost with the leaves just above the level of the compost. Water, label, cover with a polythene bag, and place in a warm, bright place, out of direct sunlight. Take the polythene bag off periodically for a while for ventilation (at least twice a week)