Hamelia patens
Family: Rubiaceae
Fire Bush, Firecracker Plant
Origin: Florida
It has pale green rounded leaves and small, tubular red-orange flowers. Though it can grow to 6-9ft or more in height, it responds well to hard pruning and can be used to make a dense medium-sized hedge or an attractive shaped plant; pruning, however, inhibits the blooms, which appear at the ends of the branches. Hamelia likes full sun and very well-drained soil. Propagation is easy by means of cuttings. One of the best butterfly attractors.
