Texas Gardening: Spicy Red Jatropha, 1 by shuggins

shuggins wrote:
I just made an impulse buy of this plant at Home Depot. It is really gorgeous, claims to be evergreen and blooming like mad. When I got back and did my research (which I normally do first, I promise), it appears that it is going to be taller and possibly wider than I really wanted.

Does anyone grow this plant, especially around Houston? Is it reasonable to plan on keeping it 5-6 feet high or will it be a constant battle to keep it at that height?

Below is a pic showing where I would like to put it. It will go where the sticks (a very unhappy tropical hibiscus) are on the curve.

So now tell me the truth, am I just dreaming that this is the perfect plant for this location? I would rather take it back and get something else than spend all my time fighting with the size of it.