Dwarf Mexican Firebush, Firecracker Shrub, Scarlet Bush, Hummingbird Bush 'Compacta'
Hamelia patens
found it in Plant Files when I searched Mexican Firecracker.
I have a russelia question
Good to know, not quite a russelia but a great plant the same!
Oh! I have a couple of those. Only, my flowers are red instead of yellow (I think?). Very nice bushes.
Ok, well maybe I'm back to puttin' this thing in the ground?lol Since it's not the invasive one that Christi has. Oh but maybe it's still not winter hardy here. According to PF it's hardy to zone 9 I think.:( Mitch would that brug recipe be good for it or too rich maybe?
LouC ~ didn't you have this one too? http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1274/
Here's my neighbor's Russelia, she never cuts it back and pretty much neglects it and it's huge! The occasional cold spells don't seem to bother it either. I'm so jealous too because mine don't look like this. I even tried planting one at the same place, except in my yard, and it survives but doesn't Thrive like hers. Silver, I think you'd be okay to put yours in the ground, it will probably get bigger, JMHO.
Oops, forgot the pic
That is smashing! What a beautiful plant. I am guessing it doesn't bloom thru winter?
No, Kristie. I don't have it but sure wish I did. Will be watching or it in the Spring nurseries.
Christi
Flygirl, we get quite a big colder than you do down there. I wish I knew somebody in 8a that grew this in the ground. I have a few babies in the pot. I might try planting a few of those and see if they survive.
It's worth a try :)
I'll look at it tomorrow and see if it's blooming, I'll get back to you Pod.
I have been trying the burg stuff on everything, just use less and so far everything is going great with it.
I'm going to make up a batch and start using it in the gh. Valentine's day is supposed to be a good day to prune roses, but I just hope we don't have another Easter freeze to kill all the new growth! I was looking for canes to cut for rooting for the RU, but I don't have many with good leaves on them. I saw some today with nice leaf buds though. Maybe that would work?
Buds will work I think - I dont do many roses.. ever.
Ooooo. I just can't wait for spring. It's so frustrating. I don't know what I would do without a gh to play around in. Everyday I go out a check on my daylily seeds. I have 27 out of 50 that sprouted already. They should be looking really good for the RU if anybody wants some.
I've grown this for years. It roots wherever one of its branches touches the soil. Consequently, it travels relentlessly. Easy to pull up, though. Some of mine blooms in almost full shade, though not as lustily. Believe it or not, I'm growing some under a Southern Magnolia in a spot where a major lower limb was lost in a storm. The Russelia has filled in the space nicely. I do find it useful to go in every couple of years and selectively thin out the plant, keeping it bushy. Russellia will also thrust itself upward alongside a fence, eventually reaching over 8' in height. Some years the hummers love it and some years they seem to prefer other plants. Go figure.