
			Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association/MLNA 6209 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Suite 128 St. Charles, MO 63304 (636) 939-9079

Featured Plant of Success

The MLNA is here to help you succeed at all levels of gardening. Check Out this featured plant!

Garden Smart with easy choices. Attractive to Hummingbirds!

Hamelia patens
Plant of Merit

Common Name: scarlet bush

Zone: 9 to 10

Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial

Family: Rubiaceae

Missouri Native: No

Native Range: Florida, West Indies, Mexico south to Bolivia, Paraguay,
Brazil

Height: 1 to 3 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

Bloom Time: June - September

Bloom Color: Orange-red to red

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium wet

Maintenance: Low

Scarlet bush or Texas firebush is native to
Southern Florida, Mexico, Central and South America. It is also commonly known
as Mexican firecracker or firecracker shrub because of the similarity of its
flowers to firecrackers. Where this shrub may be grown as a perennial, it is
evergreen, will rise to as much as 10-15' tall and will bloom year-round. As an
annual in the St. Louis area, it typically rises to 2-3' tall in a growing
season and blooms in summer and early fall. Tubular orange-red to red flowers
appear in terminal clusters (cymes) in summer and fall. Whorls of pointed, oval,
gray-green leaves (to 6" long) with pinkish veins. Leaves turn red in fall.
Reddish stems and leafstalks. Flowers give way to small dark fruits. Butterflies
and hummingbirds are reportedly attracted to the flowers, and birds enjoy the
fruits. No serious insect or disease problems. As a perennial, it grows well in
hedges, borders and as an accent plant. As an annual, it may be grown in
borders, cottage gardens or containers. Interesting plant for butterfly and bird
gardens.

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-10. In St. Louis, it is
usually grown as an annual. Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained
soils in full sun to part shade. Good soil drainage is important for this plant.
When grown as an annual, this plant may be sited directly in the soil or in
containers that can be overwintered indoors. Although somewhat drought-tolerant
once established as a perennial in southern areas, it prefers regular moisture
when grown as an annual. Best flowering is in full sun conditions. It thrives in
high heat.