Odontonema strictum
Common Names: firespike, cardinal guard, scarlet flame
Family: Acanthaceae (acanthus Family)
Shrub Perennial Attracts Hummingbirds Attracts Butterflies Easy to
grow - great for beginners! Can be Grown in Containers Has evergreen
foliage Flowers
Description
Firespike is a showy evergreen shrub with sparse, stiff branches
that grow mostly straight up to about 6 ft (1.8 m) tall. It has
shiny dark green leaves with wavy margins and long pointed tips. The
leaves are oblong, arranged opposite each other on the stem, and 4-6
in (10-15.2 cm) long. From late summer through winter firespike
produces abundant 9-12 in (23-30.5 cm) upright panicles of brilliant
red tubular flowers. The individual flowers are about an inch long
and two-lipped (symmetrical).
Location
Firespike is native to open, semi-forested areas in Central America.
It has escaped cultivation and become established in disturbed
hammocks in several areas in peninsular of Florida.
A female ruby-throated hummingbird enjoys a feast of firespike
nectar.
Culture
Light: Firespike does well in full sun and in partial shade.
Moisture: Firespike likes moist but well-drained soil. Once
established it can tolerate all but the longest droughts. You should
water even established plants if it hasn't rained for more than two
or three weeks.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 8 - 11. In frost-free areas firespike grows as
an evergreen semi-woody shrub. In zones 8 and 9 it usually dies back
to the ground in winter and resprouts in spring.
Propagation: Softwood cuttings are very easy to root, and they will
bloom in their first year. It is sometimes possible (if you're
lucky) to cut a branch and just stick it in the ground where you
want a new plant.
firespike
Firespike is a prolific bloomer even when grown in rather dense
shade. Caution, protect from deer, they adore this plant and will
eat as much as you can grow.
Usage
The strikingly beautiful crimson flowers and glossy/shiny leaves of
firespike brighten the fall landscape. Plant firespike in mixed
shrub borders. It will spread by underground sprouting, enlarging to
form a thicket, but it is easy to control and keep contained.
Firespike is a must-have for southern butterfly and hummingbird
gardens.
Features
Firespike is one of the few red tubular flowers to bloom in autumn
and is very popular with hummingbirds and all kinds of butterflies.
Unfortunately, white-tailed deer love firespike too, and will eat
the leaves. Defoliated plants will grow new leaves, but if the deer
persist, the plant eventually will be killed. |
