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.