This unusual annual vine is the perfect choice for adding some vertical interest to the garden. Its racemes of vivid blossoms are a hummingbird favorite, with their red tooth-like flowers that fade to orange and then yellow and white. Firecracker vine can bloom year round in warm climates, but generally blooms from summer to fall. It is a native of Mexico and Central and South America.
Features
- Height : 6 ft. to 10 ft.
- Growth Habit : Runs.
- Light : Full Sun Only.
- Moisture : Medium Moisture.
- Maintenance : Low.
- Characteristics : It attracts Hummingbirds; Showy Flowers.
- Bloom Time : Early Fall; Early Summer; Late Summer; Summer.
- Flower Color : Orange/ Salmon Flower; Red Flower; Yellow Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Trellis.
- Seasonal Interest : Summer Interest.
- Type : Annuals,Vines.
- Noteworthy characteristics: Long stems of multi-colored flowers that attract hummingbirds.
- Care: Provide full sun and well-drained soil in a sheltered location.
- Propagation: Sow seed at 64°F in spring.
- Problems: Wilt, charcoal rot, thread blight, white blister, rust, fungal leaf spots, and stem rot may affect plants.
Planting out
- Give your vine something to climb on. This can be anything from a trellis or fence to an arbor.
- Firecracker Vine appreciates some mid-day shade in hot areas.
- If the leaves wilt excessively, give it some more shade.
- The vine can flower with just a couple hours of sun per day, as long as it’s in bright shade the rest of the day.
- Avoid planting too close to lights that are on all night, as this may prevent flowering.
- Firecracker vine likes well-draining soil that’s high in organic matter.
- Many soils benefit from mixing in extra compost to the soil before planting.
- The more compost you add, however, the more perlite or sand you should add, for drainage.
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