Estrellita™ Scarlet Firecracker Bush (Bouvardia)
Shrub
- Bright-red trumpet flowers are adored by hummingbirds.
- Compact habit grows amazing in hedges & looks vibrant in containers.
- Long-blooming, flower color won’t fade even in high summer temperatures!
- Zones 8-10, sun, 1.5-2' tall x 1.5-2' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Firecracker bush is a favorite of pollinator gardens, with dramatic tubular flowers attracting butterflies and hummingbirds in troves. It's heat and drought-tolerant, growing well in southern states with hot summer temperatures. This shrub looks fabulous as a specimen plant or in a container; no matter where it's planted, it's sure to be the star of the show!
Details
Common name: Firecracker bush, scarlet bovardia, tecoma esperanza
Zone: 8-10
Sun exposure: Sun (6+ hours sun)
Height x width: 1.5-2′ x 1.5-2′
Flower color: Green
Foliage color: Red
Season of interest: Spring-fall
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Rare & unusual, Proven Winners, low flammability, heat tolerant, evergreens, dry soils, drought-tolerant, container plants, long-blooming
Uses: Border, Container gardening, cut flower, mass planting
How to Grow
Light: Sun (6+ hours sun)
Water: Evenly moist, average
Spacing: 1.5-2′
Fertilizing: We recommend fertilizing in early spring by applying a slow-release fertilizer meant for shrubs & trees.
Winterizing: No special care is needed for those in warmer zones (8-10). If in a cooler zone, we recommend growing in a container and taking it indoors during fall-spring.
Maintenance & pruning: If desired, prune in late winter/early spring. Deadheading is not necessary for continuous blooms.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.