TODAY IN THE GARDEN | Christmas red hummingbird snack bar

And now, for something completely different.  An occasional garden chat. Neighbors sometimes ask gardening questions so I thought I would pass on some tips about some of my favorite plants here in WeHo.  After 21 years working in my garden here and in previous incarnations, I have learned quite a bit about what works and what doesn’t and I have a large compost pile that is proof of what doesn’t.  

We are now right in the heart of the best time of year to plant so today’s feature is a wonderful plant that is no muss, no fuss, a fast grower, the butterflies and hummingbirds adore it, it blooms almost year-round AND it is not a heavy drinker!  

Russelia equestiformis is commonly known as a firecracker plant or coralblow or fountainbush or coral plant.  All of those common names are all the more reason to use the Latin name when shopping because there are MANY plants called “fountainbush” or “coral plant.”

The Russelia is native to Mexico and Guatemala and that is your first clue that it is likely to do well in our coastal climate.  This plant is grown in a fairly large pot in the patio of my garden (the pot is perched on top of an upside-down pot) in mostly full sun.  My garden loses the sun from November to March behind a large apartment building and still this plant thrives so it can take part shade (half a day of sun) year-round if those are your conditions.

The plant has a very open and weeping habit and small leaves so it is not a plant that will block out everything else in the garden.  With time the branches can grow to 4-5 feet and its graceful weeping habit means that it also moves lightly in the breeze to give movement to your garden as well.  The tiny, trumpet-like flowers are perfect for a hummingbird beak and they hover over this plant much of the day dodging in between the butterflies.  Because of this plant (and the amaryllis in the background) this has become a central part my “red garden” but it also comes in ivory, coral and pink and other shades.  

It can be great on a balcony or overhanging a wall but do give it space to hang, OR you can try some espalier (google it for cool pictures) and tie the branches to a wall in an art form.  I would love to see what that might look like.  This plant is “self-cleaning” meaning you don’t have to dead head flowers and the only trimming you may need to do is to control its exuberance.  I have done nothing to this plant in years except clear out an occasional dead branch.  

Where to buy it. Both Monrovia and San Marcos wholesale growers grow it and their plants are carried in many local nurseries.  It is fairly common in nurseries in the spring but you should be able to order it most of the year.  Many times, nurseries don’t carry a plant until it starts blooming so that people can see what it will look like.  This will matter if you want to make sure you get the color you want.  Note, I do have a coral cultivar growing nearby but it is a much slower grower and not as floriferous—or as bright. 

What are the other plants in the photo?

The silver fuzzy broad leaves on the left are Senecio candicans ‘Angel Wings’.

To the right the spotted long leaves are Manfreda maculosa, Texas Tuberose. It has an exotic 7’ tall bloom spike once a year about July.

Behind that is Pelargonium ‘Vancouver Centennial’ a wonderful chartreuse and red geranium that I grow for the leaves, not the small red flowers.

The bright red amaryllis was a gift years ago that has multiplied so much it fills a 15-gallon pot but I don’t know the cultivar.  It is spectacular every spring.

Way in the back is a Calamondin tree grown largely for its fragrant blossoms but the tart fruit can be a lime substitute. 

I hope this was helpful and maybe a little interesting.  Is there something you would like to know more about?  Let me know and I will see what I can do.  Do you have a favorite plant you have thriving here in our little “village”?  Share and let your neighbors know.

Have a beautiful day in the neighborhood everyone!