Known botanically as Odontonema cuspidatum, firespike grows 4 to 6 feet tall and produces clusters of 3-inch-long, tubular red flowers. It is a small shrub in South Florida and a clumping, herbaceous perennial in North and Central Florida.
What is Firespike?
Firespike is an herbaceous perennial with large showy spikes of bright red tubular flowers. These flowers attract many species of butterflies as well as hummingbirds. Firespike is one of very few red flowering plants that perform well in partial shade.
How do you propagate a Firespike plant?
Firespike Odontonema Strictum are easy to propagate from softwood cuttings. It is also propagated by cutting a branch and sticking it in the ground where a new plant will see the light of the day. The cuttings are rooted in the spring, which blooms by the fall season.
How do you prune a purple Firespike?
If you live in an area with light frost, prune your firespike to the ground in the spring once the danger of frost is gone. This will encourage fresh, healthy growth from the plant’s base. For areas without frost, simply cut the flowering stems to the ground when they are done blooming.
Is Firespike toxic?
(1)Unfortunately, white-tailed deer love firespike too, and will eat the leaves. Defoliated plants will grow new leaves, but if the deer persist, the plant eventually will be killed. No other references found that indicate this species is toxic or poisonous. (1)Caution: All parts of the plant are poisonous.
What is a hummingbird bush?
By. Sometimes known as the hummingbird shrub, the Hummingbird Bush (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii) is a highly ornamental, deciduous shrub hummingbirds love for its colorful, nectar-rich flowers.
How fast does Firespike grow?
Firespike can be grown as a tropical container plant, an annual which grows about 2 feet the first season, or, if it survives the winter as a protected perennial growing more than 4 feet tall.
How tall does Firespike grow?
Firespike Plant Information
These jewels of the landscape bed can grow 4 feet (1 m.) tall, and are covered in spikes of blazing, red blooms through the fall and winter.
How long does it take firebush to grow?
How fast does firebush plant grow? Firebush is a fast-growing shrub that can grow over 3 feet (0.9 m) in a single year. Where is the best place to plant a firebush? Firebush grows best in a full sun location, with free-draining soil in zones 9 to 11.
How big do firecracker bushes get?
Fast growing; reaches 3 to 5 ft. tall and wide. Water regularly – weekly, or more often in extreme heat or containers. Provide average, well-drained soil; shelter from harsh, drying winds.
When should I trim my firebush?
The best time for firebush pruning is late winter to early spring. This is when the plant is not actively growing and such activity will cause less damage. Pruning at this time will prevent removal of flower buds as well.
