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Russelia equisetiformis

 
Russelia equisetiformis
scarlet firecracker plant; coral plant
Russelia equisetiformis
scarlet firecracker plant; coral plant

Common name scarlet firecracker plant; coral plant
Family scrophulariaceae
Life cycle perennial (Z8-11)
Flowers red (spring-fall)
Size 3-5'
Light sun
Cultural notes ordinary garden soil, not too dry

Tubular scarlet flowers hanging down from cascading slender stems. Native to Mexico. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. I don't know if this is always deciduous, but its first winter in our garden was a harsh one, so the plant had to return from its roots. The new growth is quite different in size and shape from the mature leaves – but within a few months it looked the same as it did before winter, with thin reedy stems holding small leaves, as well as the flowers. Once established, it does get greedy about its garden space, steadily expanding by its roots. It's not hard to keep in check though – at least thus far.

Russelia equisetiformis
New leaves after top growth died in winter freezes
scarlet firecracker plant; coral plant
Grown to the stature of a small shrub by late October

In our garden, this plant grows in the following areas: back fence border, houston front yard

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