Firecracker Plant (Coral Fountain) / Firecracker Bush / Coral Fountain – Desert Horizon Nursery

Firecracker Bush

Russelia equisetiformis
Categories:
Shrubs  ·  
Desert Shrubs
Light
Full sun (afternoon shade in low desert)
Water
Moderate water in Phoenix; water deeply, then let the upper soil dry before watering again. Established plants tolerate some drought, but bloom best with consistent summer irrigation.
Size
3-5 ft tall × 3-5 ft wide
Habit
Mounded – spreading shrub
Toxicity
Not Established
Description
A graceful, cascading shrub with slender green stems, tiny leaves, and abundant tubular flowers that resemble dangling firecrackers.
Bloom Time
Spring through fall; nearly year-round in frost-free conditions
Deciduous / Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Special Features
Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant
Growth Rate
Moderate to fast
Growth Habit
Mounded – spreading shrub
Mature Size
3-5 ft tall × 3-5 ft wide
Flower Color
Red
Foliage Color
Green
Landscape Use
Border / Bed, Container / Patio, Pollinator / Wildlife Garden, Trellis / Arbor / Wall
Garden Style
Container / Patio, Hedge / Formal, Pollinator / Wildlife
Soil
Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Autumn sage, Lantana, Red yucca, Society garlic, Yellow Bells
Not Established
Not established — verify
Care Instructions

Light: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is beneficial in Phoenix, especially near heat-reflecting walls.

Water: Moderate water in Phoenix; water deeply, then let the upper soil dry before watering again. Established plants tolerate some drought, but bloom best with consistent summer irrigation.

Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil; tolerates alkaline conditions but dislikes soggy roots.

Mature size: 3–5 feet tall and 4–6 feet wide.

Bloom: Primarily spring through fall in Phoenix; flowering may continue during mild winters but slows with cold or severe drought.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen in frost-free conditions; foliage and stems may die back during Zone 9b freezes, with regrowth from surviving roots in spring.

Growth rate: Fast with warmth and adequate moisture.