Mortellaro's Nursery
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Russelia equisetiformis - Firecracker Plant from Mortellaros
Firecracker Fern
Firecracker Plant
Russelia equisetiformis 'St Elmos'
Russelia ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ is a vibrant, cascading perennial prized for its bright red tubular flowers and fine, arching stems. This hybrid selection offers improved branching and heavier bloom compared to older firecracker plant types. In Texas landscapes, it delivers continuous color from late spring through fall and serves as a magnet for hummingbirds and pollinators.
This plant performs best in full sun and well-drained soils. In Central Texas, excellent drainage is essential, especially in heavier clay soils. Once established, it is heat tolerant and moderately drought tolerant, though flowering is strongest with regular irrigation. It typically reaches 2–3 feet tall and spreads 3–5 feet wide with a naturally weeping, fountain-like habit. Space 3–4 feet apart for mass plantings. It is not considered toxic and is generally deer resistant.
‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ works beautifully in raised beds, retaining walls, hanging baskets, large containers, or spilling over stone edges. In Zones 8b–9a, it may act as a semi-evergreen perennial but can experience top dieback during hard freezes, regrowing from the base in spring. In colder parts of North Texas, it is often treated as a warm-season perennial or container plant.
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Hummingbird Magnet |
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Cascading Habit |
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Long Bloom |
Flower Color:Scarlet Red |
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Height:3-5 Feet |
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Spread:3-5 Feet |
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Spacing:3-4 feet |
USDA Hardiness Zone 9a
Characteristics & Attributes
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Deer Tolerance
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Exposure
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Habit
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Soil pH Preference
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Water Needs
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