Crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis) is a tropical, evergreen shrub native to Asia. It grows about 2 feet tall and wide indoors and outdoors. Its near-continuous blooming sends spear-shaped ...

The cigar plant (Cuphea ignea) is sometimes referred to as firecracker plant but the two should not be confused. Lokalia is larger and has a more arching growth habit. Both plants attract butterflies, ...

Here we are, three-quarters through the summer heat of July; the spark, crackle and vast array of colorful fireworks all but a fading glow in our mind’s eye. Crossandra, known as the “firecracker ...

Streaks of fire aren’t limited to the sky on Independence Day. Many plants present pops of fiery red and orange during hot summer days. Here’s a sampling of plants with “fire” names that add sizzle to ...

I can't help wondering if firecracker plants grew in pots on Mayan pyramids as the human sacrifices went on and on. After all, this is a Meso-American native, but most botany references point to ...

Just in time for the long Fourth of July celebration, a new firecracker makes it debut ― one that makes incurs only the sounds of a hummingbird's wings rushing in to feed. The Estrellita Little Star, ...

If I’m being honest, the hardest part of writing this column each week is deciding what plant to write about. Once I’ve decided what to write about and why it makes sense to choose that particular ...

Hibiscus sabdariffa commonly called Roselle or Florida cranberry is a tropical hibiscus in Arkansas, that only blooms in the fall. We saw these plants in Texas on our trip that were just loaded with ...