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Bouvardia ternifolia (Firecracker Bush) - A small upright shrub to growing 2 to 4 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide with erect slightly arching stems bearing small shiny, oval, dark-green leaves held in whorls. In mid spring until fall appear the attractive brilliant scarlet trumpet-shaped red flowers in clusters at the ends of the branches with individual flowers having narrow 2-inch-long tubes and 4 flaring petals.
Plant in full to part sun in well-drained neutral to acid soil and in an open area with good air circulation. Is moderately dry growing but looks best with regular to occasional irrigation. Remains evergreen in warmer frost free locations and is deciduous in colder areas - useful in USDA climate zones 8 and above and nice as a root hardy perennial or an annual in colder zones. Lightly trim off spent flowers to maintain a compact shape. Firecracker Bush is a very attractive plant when in bloom and useful as a potted specimen or planted out in and easily viewed location in the garden where it attracts, and provides nectar for, hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.
Bouvardia ternifolia is native from Central America throughout the Mexican highlands north in west Texas, New Mexico and Arizona where it grows in rocky dry mountainous areas and canyons from 2,500 to 9,00 feet). Other common names include Scarlet Bouvardia, Trumpet Flower, Scarlet Hummingbird Flower, Trompetilla (which means little trumpet for the flower shape) and Clavillo. The name for the genus honors Charles Bouvard (1572 -1658) the superintendent of the Jardin du Roin in Paris. The specific epithet comes from the Latin words 'terni' meaning the number 3 and 'folia' meaning leaf in reference to the leaves that are typically held in 3s in a whorl. We first purchased this plant at a Huntington Botanic Garden plant sale in 1986 and later received cuttings of it from plants growing in the insectary garden at Ganna Walska Lotusland.
The information about Bouvardia ternifolia displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
