Plant of the Month:  Firecracker Bush /  Hamelia patens ‘Sierra Red’

Firecracker bush not only provides beautiful tubular red-orange flowers in spring and summer but when cooler weather comes, the leaves will develop a burnished orange color along with red stems and dark purple edible fruit that provide winter seasonal interest.  This plant is a hummingbird and butterfly favorite.  The selection ‘Sierra Red’ has especially intense red flowers and a more compact habit.  This plant will take full sun to part shade and can be maintained at 3′ x 3′ with moderate irrigation.