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Plant Finder Tool

shrub

Scarlet Bush

Hamelia patens

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Scarlet Bush (Hamelia patens) at Rainbow Gardens

Scarlet Bush flowers

Scarlet Bush flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Scarlet Bush (Hamelia patens) at Rainbow Gardens

Scarlet Bush flowers

Scarlet Bush flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Scarlet Bush (Hamelia patens) at Rainbow Gardens

Scarlet Bush

Scarlet Bush

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  4 feet

Spread:  4 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  8b

Other Names:  Firebush, Texas Firebush, Firecracker Bush

Description:

A beautiful native shrub, producing a dense mound of gray-green leaves; orange-red tubular flowers all summer into fall that are loved by hummingbirds; evergreen and larger growing in warm climates; great for containers and borders

Ornamental Features

Scarlet Bush features showy cymes of scarlet tubular flowers at the ends of the branches from early summer to mid fall. It has attractive grayish green foliage with pointy red spines which emerges dark red in spring. The pointy leaves are highly ornamental and turn red in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. It features an abundance of magnificent plum purple berries in early fall. The red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Scarlet Bush is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Scarlet Bush is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Scarlet Bush will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It has a low canopy. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America.

Scarlet Bush makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Garden  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Fruit  Foliage Color  Bark  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features

Disclaimer - This Plant Finder tool is an online resource representing many of the varieties that we carry over the course of the season, and is intended for informational purposes only. Inventory varies seasonally, so we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times - please contact the store directly for current availability. It does not include our entire selection of plants, so be sure to visit our store to see varieties that may not be represented on this list.