COMMON NAME:
► Coral Fountain Plant
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
► Russelia Equisetiformis
GROWER HINTS:
►A Jamaican beauty. Russelia can be used as a very large basket or a tall bush. Great for seaside plantings, behind a wall or coming down a slope. Gets big, arching 3 to 5 ft tall, and graceful. Along the coast it will bloom all year. Inland will still get lots of bloom, but perhaps not so much in the winter.
►This plant is very attractive to hummingbirds. They will be there all the time feasting on the nectar. Cautionary tips: Never let it sit in water or plant in a poor drainage area. Don’t fertilize too heavily. Don’t be alarmed if it dies back a bit in the winter. DO NOT THROW IT AWAY. Give it a chance to come back in the spring.
GROWTH HABITS:
►Pruning and Dividing: Best done in early spring. As your plant gets larger it will benefit from pruning as this will give you new fresh growth. Once your plant is established for a awhile it becomes an almost ‘can’t kill em’ type. Protect from frost the first year. After that, in the ground it is hardy to 28°. If it freezes it will usually come back from the root.
SHADE/SUN:
►Sun
FEEDING AND WATERING:
►Water: Frequently in hot summer days if you have it in containers. When it gets too big for your basket take out, divide it or plant it. Once your plant is established for a awhile it becomes an almost ‘can’t kill em’ type. Fertilize LIGHTLY with any balanced fertilizer.
FLOWER/FOLIAGE COLOR(S):
►Massive numbers of tiny tubular light red or pale yellow flowers.
SEASON(S) CARRIED AT WEIDNERS:
►Summer
CONTAINER OR GROUND?
►When it gets too big for your basket take out, divide it or plant it. Great in a container or in the ground as well as a basket.
PARTICULAR PESTS:
►Occasionally and rarely aphids
