Firecracker Shrub, Mexican Firebush, Scarlet Bush, Hummingbird Bush
Life Cycle
Tropical s and Tender Perennials
Cultivar Name
Fragrant or Not
No
Category(Bush/Vine/Tree)
Bush
Height
8-10 ft.
Spacing
4-6 ft.
Flowering Months
Summer
Flower Color
Red-Orange
Growing Areas
all Pakistan
Frost Tender
yes
Exposure
Full sun
Soil pH
Tolerant
Propagation
by seeds
Uses
Ornamental,medicinal plant
Other Details
Hamelia patens is a large perennial shrub or small tree in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, that is native to the American subtropics and tropics.Common names include Firebush, Hummingbird Bush, Scarlet Bush and Redhead.Scarlet bush is sometimes called firecracker shrub because its tubular orange-red flowers resemble firecrackers.Firebush is a showy, fast-growing, semi-woody evergreen shrub that can get up to 15 ft (4.6 m) tall under ideal conditions, but usually stays much smaller. It has whorled leaves, usually with three but occasionally as many as seven at each node. The leaves are elliptic to oval, about 6 in (15 cm) long, and gray-pubescent underneath with reddish veins and petioles. They are reflexed upward from the midvein.Also, the plants are used in folk medicine against a range of ailments. A number of active compounds have been found in firebush, Does best in full sun but quite well in partial shade. It becomes leggy in shade. Once established, firebush is drought tolerant, but it does best with frequent watering as long as the soil has excellent drainage. Water weekly during the first year after transplanting. .
