Firespike is a showy evergreen shrub with sparse, stiff branches that grow mostly straight up to about 6 ft (1.8 m) tall. It has shiny dark green leaves with wavy margins and long pointed tips. The leaves are oblong, arranged opposite each other on the stem, and 4-6 in (10-15.2 cm) long. From late summer through winter firespike produces abundant 9-12 in (23-30.5 cm) upright panicles of brilliant red tubular flowers. The individual flowers are about an inch long and two-lipped (symmetrical).Firespike does well in full sun and in partial shade. Firespike likes moist but well-drained soil. Once established it can tolerate all but the longest droughts.The strikingly beautiful crimson flowers and glossy/shiny leaves of firespike brighten the fall landscape. Plant firespike in mixed shrub borders. It will spread by underground sprouting, enlarging to form a thicket, but it is easy to control and keep contained. Firespike is a must-have for butterfly and hummingbird gardens.
