Photo credit: MG Judy Weaver

Russelia equisetiformis is commonly known as the firecracker plant (or firecracker fern or coral fountain), due to its arching sprays of tubular red flowers. You will most likely find the red form in local nurseries, but yellow and salmon cultivars are also available. The firecracker plant is a tender perennial when grown in ground in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a or higher. Otherwise, this plant can be treated as an annual, gracing beds, pots or large planters with its colorful spill of bloom. The nectar from this plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Surprisingly, it is also a host plant for the common buckeye butterfly!