Xeriscape Landscaping Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
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Shrubs

Coral Plant, Russelia equisetiformis

Coral Plant, Russelia equisetiformis Photo Taken March 20, 2008. Glendale.

Coral Plant, Russelia equisetiformis	Coral Plant, Russelia equisetiformis

Coral Plant Russelia equisetiformis, Figwort, Family ( Scrophulariaceae ), Coral Plant: Also called: Firecracker Plant, Coralblow, Fountain Plant. Russelia equisetiformis is a fast growing, easy to cultivate, perennial, evergreen shrub, native to Mexico. It blooms almost continuously making it a must have plant for our desert butterfly gardens. It has slender, rushlike stems that are angled with ridges and with leaves that are little more than small scales. It has wiry looking branches that start out erect then fall over to form a cascade downward about 4 - 6 feet in length. Firecracker Plant produces long hanging clusters of scarlet tubular flowers about 1 inch in length from Spring until Fall, that look like small firecrackers, giving it the other common name, firecracker plant. If placed in containers Coral Fountain produces movement in the garden. Coral Fountain grows best in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. It uses more water than most Xeriscape plants but would be a good addition into a Xeriscape garden. Height: Up To About 3- 4 feet. Spreading out to about 6 foot wide. Flowers: Scarlet tubular flowers about 1 inch in length. Blooming Time: Mid -March to November. Leaves: Green, slender, rushlike stems that are angled with ridges and with leaves that are little more than small scales. Fruit: Not observed. Shape: Small shrub with wirelike branches flowing from the top and dropping upon the ground. Elevation: 0 - 3,800 Feet. Habitat: On cultivated, waste and fallow land, roadsides, yards. It is native to Mexico. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken March 20, 2008. Glendale. Hardy to about 25 degrees F.