For those who worry about poisonous plants in the landscape, the nontoxic nature of Firebush will come as a welcome relief. In fact, a syrup derived from the fruit of Firebush is used as a remedy for diarrhea in the West Indies. What trees are poisonous to dogs? Sources: Paula Parker, David Neck and Nicole O'Kane.
Full Answer
What is a firespike plant?
Known botanically as Odontonema cuspidatum, firespike grows 4 to 6 feet tall and produces clusters of 3-inch-long, tubular red flowers. It is a small shrub in South Florida and a clumping, herbaceous perennial in North and Central Florida.
Is a firespike tree good for shade?
Few flowering plants for shade provide such a striking burst of color. And firespike's upright growth habit makes it a good fit in small or large yards. It can work well tucked into a more formal landscape as a backdrop plant for smaller, manicured shrubs.
Will firespike come back after a freeze?
Once established, firespike is moderately drought tolerant. A hard freeze can kill the above-ground growth, but the plant will typically return in the spring. Firespike often re-seeds itself and can also be propagated by cuttings. If the plant gets too tall, you can prune it several times during the growing season.
What is the best way to plant a firespike?
Firespike may be best utilized in the landscape in a mass planting. Plants can be spaced about 2 feet apart to fill in the area quickly. It is one of only a few flowering plants that give good, red color in a partially shaded site. The lovely flowers also make firespike an excellent candidate for the cutting garden.
Is odontonema poisonous?
All parts of the plant are poisonous, and should not be ingested, or even burnt.
What is a Firespike plant?
Firespike is a long-flowering plant which is a dazzling addition to a garden. The blooms are the main attraction of the plant. They produce sweet nectar, attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies all year round. This gorgeous flowering plant is also known by the common names including: Firespike.
Do hummingbirds like Firespike?
Firespike is sure to attract hummingbirds and larger butterflies. It also makes an easy indoor plant where its flowers can be enjoyed through much of winter. If well-established Firespike is generally considered hardy well into zone 8B.
How big does a Firespike get?
four feet to eight feetThese shrubs can grow anywhere from four feet to eight feet and beyond. They make a wonderful addition to cutting and butterfly gardens. Because of their size, they also make great backdrops to smaller plants.
How do you get Firespike to bloom?
Give firespikes plenty of room to grow when you plant them. Space the small bushes 24 to 36 inches (61 to 91.5 cm.) apart. They'll fill in this space in a few years, creating a single wall of glossy green leaves and spikes of flaming blooms.
Is Red Firespike native to Florida?
Common Name: Firespike (Red) (other common names: Cardinal guard, or scarlet flame). Origin: South America (but has naturalized to Florida).
Does firecracker plant attract butterflies?
Firecracker plant is a small plant that can have an explosive impact in your garden, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. Its narrow, soft leaves give it a fine texture in the landscape, making it a great contrast to broad-leaf plants.
What butterflies are attracted to firebush?
During the summer when the tubular red and orange flowers are plentiful, this tropical shrub attracts many species of nectaring butterflies - Zebra Longwings, Gulf Fritillaries, Julias, swallowtails, sulphurs, and whites.
Do butterflies like firebush?
Firebush is a perennial or semi-woody shrub that is known scientifically as Hamelia patens. Gardeners love firebush because it produces flowers from late spring until the first frost, and the bright red flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, including the zebra longwing and gulf fritillary butterflies.
Is Firespike an evergreen?
This semi-evergreen shrub, known botanically as Odontonema strictum, bears stiff, mostly upright, sparse branches that reach about 6 ft. in height. Its dark, shiny, oblong leaves are pinnate, measuring 4-6 in. in length.
Is heliconia bird of paradise?
Heliconia are also known as False Bird of Paradise and Wild Plantains because their leaves are similar to the leaves of the Bird of Paradise and banana plants.
What is a hummingbird bush?
By. Sometimes known as the hummingbird shrub, the Hummingbird Bush (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii) is a highly ornamental, deciduous shrub hummingbirds love for its colorful, nectar-rich flowers.
Does Firespike attract butterflies?
Plant Description: Firespike is an herbaceous perennial with large showy spikes of bright red tubular flowers. These flowers attract many species of butterflies as well as hummingbirds.
Do butterflies like Firespike?
Firespike will not only grow in the shade but plants will provide a magnificent display of practically glow-in-the-dark red bloom spikes which attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
How do Firespike plants propagate?
1:494:54How to grow Firespike from cuttings ~Garden Down South - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlthough they do grow in the shade pretty. Good anyways you just take your cutting. Pull the bottomMoreAlthough they do grow in the shade pretty. Good anyways you just take your cutting. Pull the bottom leaves. Off enough to give it enough stem to stick down to the dirt. And take some soil conditioner.
What is a hummingbird bush?
By. Sometimes known as the hummingbird shrub, the Hummingbird Bush (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii) is a highly ornamental, deciduous shrub hummingbirds love for its colorful, nectar-rich flowers.
Plant specs
These plants are moderate growers you can keep about 4 to 5 feet tall.
Plant care
Add top soil or organic peat humus, mixed together with composted cow manure, to the hole when you plant. Give the plant a hard pruning in spring for size, then let it grow up to form a nice, natural shape.
Plant spacing
Plant 2-1/2 to 3 feet apart. come out from the house 2-1/2 to 3 feet. If planting along a walk or drive, come in 3 feet.
Where does Firespike live?
When you learn about firespike plant information, the most crucial point is that it will live in USDA Zones 8 or higher, which means the southernmost parts of California and Texas, plus Florida.
How tall do firespikes grow?
Firespike Plant Information. These jewels of the landscape bed can grow 4 feet tall, and are covered in spikes of blazing red blooms through the fall and winter. If you’ve already got a successful planting bed in your yard, then you know how to grow firespikes, as they need no special care in the right environment.
When do firespike bushes grow back?
If they do get frozen, it will kill off the growth above ground, but it will usually grow back in the spring as soon as the soil warms.
Do firespikes like full sun?
The most important detail is the sun; firespikes love to live in the full sun. The plants will grow in partial sun or partial shade, but you’ll get fewer flowers and they won’t be as vibrant.
How to grow a firespike?
1. Trim a clipping off of your firespike, preferably on a softwood branch. 2. Trim leaves off of the bottom half of the cutting. 3. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone . 4. Plant with the cut side down where you would like your new plant to grow. That’s it.
What type of soil do firespikes like?
For optimum growth, however, firespikes like rich, well-draining soils. Sandy soils will also be tolerated. Compost-based soil is a great option for extra nutrients that will keep your firespike healthy and blooming.
What to do if you forgot to water firespikes?
Firespikes are hardy, and will most likely be just fine after a good drink. Keeping a layer of mulch on the soil around your plant will help retain moisture and keep the soil from drying out too quickly.
Can firespikes grow in full sun?
Firespikes can grow in partial shade as well as full sun. They like rich soil, but can also grow in a sandy medium. And, if you forget to irrigate them and find your firespike looking a little droopy, a good watering will bring them back to life. On top of this, there are not any common pests or diseases that cause much trouble for this plant.
Do firespikes like sunshine?
Firespikes love sunshine. Naturally found in tropical environments, these plants thrive in bright light. Unlike most plants, firespikes will still bloom in the shade. For more blooms and a healthier plant, however, more sunshine is best.
Who is Erica Puisis?
Erica Puisis writes about home products for The Spruce and specializes in interior design and plant care. She's contributed to Forbes and smart home blogs like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg.
Do you need to prune firespike?
Again, firespike makes for a low-maintenance addition in your garden and you won't need to invest a lot of time in regular pruning or maintenance. Occasional pruning is all that is needed since some branches can get long, unruly, or gangly looking. Give them a snip whenever you feel like your plant needs a little haircut.
How tall is Firespike?
Introduction. Firespike is an herbaceous perennial growing to about 4 feet tall with an upright habit which has naturalized in Florida (Fig. 1). The shiny, dark green leaves of this plant have entire to undulate margins and reach a length of 7 to 8 inches.
When was FPS445 published?
1. This document is FPS445, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 1999. Reviewed February 2014. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Can firespike be grown in the winter?
This perennial may be grown on a wide range of moderately fertile, sandy soils and is quite drought tolerant. Firespike is tender to cold, but winter freezes help to control its size. Prune this plant to the ground in the winter to clean it up. Propagate firespike by division or cuttings.