Photo credit: Arthur Ng

The Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetiformis) gets its name from how its flowers resemble firecrackers. This plant is able to grow to about 1 to 1.5 m tall. It is a multi-branched bushy subshrub which has branches that start out erect and bend over as they grow longer, giving it a weeping form. The leaves of this plant are reduced to small scale-like leaflets, bright green, and ovate to elliptic in shape.

This plant blooms frequently throughout the year and is best grown in full sun and well-drained moist soil. It bears tubular, firecracker-like flowers, usually in one to three flowered clusters. The flowers attract biodiversity, especially sunbirds, and are available in a variety of colours, ranging from red, yellow to salmon. 

This evergreen plant is often used as an ornamental and can be seen in container planting, hanging baskets and vertical greenery. It adds texture to any landscape as it drapes over walls and rocks, creating a “fountain” effect.