Russelia equisetiformis (Coral Plant)
Coral Plant, Coral Fountain, Firecracker Plant
Native to Mexico, Coral Plant (Russelia equisetiformis) is a highly ornamental shrub with slender, wispy stems spilling out like a waterfall and ablaze with clusters of bright, coral-red tubular flowers, which attract hummingbirds and butterflies. This striking multi-branched plant has virtually no foliage and will gracefully cascade from your walls or raised beds in a beautiful, continuous warm display of scarlet blossoms from late spring to fall (all year in warm climate areas).
- Growing about 6 ft. long (180 cm) and spreading 2 ft. wide (60 cm), this sprawling shrub consists of a dense, arching crown composed of many weeping green branches, covered by small, insignificant leaves. Long clusters of firecracker-like flowers, 1-inch-long hang at the branch tips.
- Easy to grow, it thrives in full sun or part sun in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils.
- Heat and drought tolerant, once established.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society (1993)
- Very versatile, it can be used as an accent plant, part of a mass planting, in containers or hanging baskets.
- Water and fertilize regularly and let them dry out between irrigations. Prune to shape or to remove dead growth.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 12 |
| Climate Zones | 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
| Spread | 2' (60cm) |
| Spacing |
12" - 18" (30cm - 50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Drought |
| Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hanging Baskets, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders, Walls And Fences |
| Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
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* Picture courtesy ofMauricio Mercadante, Flickr
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 12 |
| Climate Zones | 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
| Spread | 2' (60cm) |
| Spacing |
12" - 18" (30cm - 50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Drought |
| Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hanging Baskets, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders, Walls And Fences |
| Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
