Russelia

( russ - ELL - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering shrubby perennial plants includes species commonly referred to as Coral Fountain, Fountainbush, Coralblow, or Firecracker Plant. These shrubs need sun or partial shade and little to regular water to perform well in the landscape. Bright tube-shaped flowers will attract hummingbirds and other pollinators to the garden. These plants are native tropical regions of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, and reach 3 to 5 feet tall and just as wide at maturity. They have almost leafless, bright green pendulous stems that look great spilling over walls, containers, or baskets. Red flowers appear through spring and summer. Russelia is a member of the plant family Plantaginaceae and includes around 50 species. The most commonly grown species is Russelia equisetiformis. The plants in this genus are related to those in Penstemon (Beardtongue), Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon), Veronica (Speedwell), Antirrhinum (Snapdragon), Digitalis (Foxglove), and Hebe. Firecracker Plant grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8b-11 or Sunset growing zones 13-14, 17, 19-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map. Garden cultivars of Russelia equisetiformis include 'St. Elmo's Fire' (to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide, with an upright habit), 'Alba' (with pure white blossoms), 'Lutea' (also called 'Lemon Falls', with cream yellow to yellow flowers), 'Salmon' (with pale orange-salmon blossoms), and 'Jasper' (with dense, cascading stems and coral red flowers).

Caring for Russelia

These shrubs do well in full sun to partial shade, though in warmer climates they do appreciate some afternoon shade. Plant in well-draining soil. If your soil is clay soil or particularly heavy it is a good idea to amend with plenty of organic material before planting. Firecracker Plant tolerates drought, wet soil, and salty soil, making it a wonderful choice for drought-tolerant seaside gardens. Water these shrubs regularly, especially as they are establishing. At maturity, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and reduce waterings in wintertime when the plant is dormant. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to increase soil moisture retention, taking care to not get it too close to the main stems of the plant.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These shrubs are hardy to about 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and will die back in frost conditions, reappearing from its root system in spring. Cover young plants in cool weather and make sure to maintain a thick layer of mulch over the root system to insulate from freezing temperatures. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or overgrown stems by 30% to 50%. During the growing season, lightly trim or pinch back leggy or spent flowering stems to tidy up the plant and stimulate new blooms to form. If plants are getting overgrown, leggy, or simply too woody, the entire plant can be hard pruned back to just a few inches above the ground. This type of pruning is especially handy if the plant has died back due to frost. Russelia shrubs are fast-growing, woody perennials and can survive in the landscape for 10 to 15 years or more before needing to be replaced. In cooler zones, these shrubs function as annuals in the landscape, pulled at the end of the growing season and composted or left in place to enrich soil.

Caring for Russelia in Containers
Russelia shrubs are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Russelia plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Russelia shrubs are best propagated using stem cuttings. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Russelia by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Problems and Pests

Certain Russelia species are considered invasive in some regions, including Florida (United States), Oceania (Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Palau, Cuba), and other humid subtropical areas. Check with local authorities before planting. Although Firecracker Plant is pest and disease resistant for the most part, they might occasionally suffer from the following common garden pests: