Hummingbird flower plant (Bouvardia ternifolia) is
also known as firecracker bush or scarlet bouvardia due to the clusters of
bright red, trumpet-shaped flowers that appear on stem tips. Hummingbirds,
butterflies,
and bees
love the nectar-rich blooms of this flower.
The hummingbird firecracker bush is native to the warm
climates of Mexico and the southwestern United States, but it can tolerate
temperatures as low as 10 to 15 degrees F. (-12 to -9 C.). You can also grow
this stunning plant indoors. Read on and learn about growing bouvardia
hummingbird flowers in your own home or garden.
Growing Hummingbird Flowers
Although it is a perennial, hummingbird flower plants will die back in cooler climates. This low-maintenance plant is easy to get along with and will bloom all winter where temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees F. (16 F.).
Scarlet bouvardia tolerates partial shade, but it will bloom
continuously in bright sunlight. Indoors, the plant should be placed in your
brightest window. You may need to place it under fluorescent bulbs or grow
lights during the winter.
Be sure the plant isn’t crowded and has plenty of air
circulation. Humid conditions can invite disease. Similarly, chilly indoor
conditions during the winter months can be unhealthy.
Water plants deeply when the soil looks and feels dry. Water
potted plants until it runs through the drainage hole, then allow the potting
mix to dry before watering again. A little wilt won’t hurt scarlet bouvardia,
but soggy soil may rot the stem.
As part of your bouvardia flower care, you’ll want to fertilize
regularly, using a balanced, general-purpose fertilizer. Water-soluble
fertilizer is generally easiest for potted plants. Remove wilted flowers
regularly to keep the plant neat. Regular deadheading
also encourages more blooms.
Hummingbird flower plant does well with hard
trimming only when it’s actively growing. Cut the plant back to half its
height any time it looks tired or untidy.
This plant is relatively pest-resistant but is sometimes
prone to attacks by whiteflies.
If this happens, insecticidal
soap spray is generally enough to keep the pests in control.
Hummingbird flower plant (Bouvardia ternifolia) is
also known as firecracker bush or scarlet bouvardia due to the clusters of
bright red, trumpet-shaped flowers that appear on stem tips. Hummingbirds,
butterflies,
and bees
love the nectar-rich blooms of this flower.
The hummingbird firecracker bush is native to the warm
climates of Mexico and the southwestern United States, but it can tolerate
temperatures as low as 10 to 15 degrees F. (-12 to -9 C.). You can also grow
this stunning plant indoors. Read on and learn about growing bouvardia
hummingbird flowers in your own home or garden.
Growing Hummingbird Flowers
Although it is a perennial, hummingbird flower plants will die back in cooler climates. This low-maintenance plant is easy to get along with and will bloom all winter where temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees F. (16 F.).
Scarlet bouvardia tolerates partial shade, but it will bloom
continuously in bright sunlight. Indoors, the plant should be placed in your
brightest window. You may need to place it under fluorescent bulbs or grow
lights during the winter.
Be sure the plant isn’t crowded and has plenty of air
circulation. Humid conditions can invite disease. Similarly, chilly indoor
conditions during the winter months can be unhealthy.
Water plants deeply when the soil looks and feels dry. Water
potted plants until it runs through the drainage hole, then allow the potting
mix to dry before watering again. A little wilt won’t hurt scarlet bouvardia,
but soggy soil may rot the stem.
As part of your bouvardia flower care, you’ll want to fertilize
regularly, using a balanced, general-purpose fertilizer. Water-soluble
fertilizer is generally easiest for potted plants. Remove wilted flowers
regularly to keep the plant neat. Regular deadheading
also encourages more blooms.
Hummingbird flower plant does well with hard
trimming only when it’s actively growing. Cut the plant back to half its
height any time it looks tired or untidy.
This plant is relatively pest-resistant but is sometimes
prone to attacks by whiteflies.
If this happens, insecticidal
soap spray is generally enough to keep the pests in control.