Clearwater Florida Curb Appeal
Sustainable landscaping featuring low maintenance plants. The orange blooming plants are Dwarf Firebush shrubs. I paired them with Dwarf Natal Plum and Paspalum Ornamental grass. Dwarf Firebush shrubs sport orange flowers tipped with gold, which set off their beauty. A great nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds adds to it's appeal.
They are really tough, so tough they are used in commercial locations and on some roadways. This delightful shrub blooms on and off all year - more during warmer weather - and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to its brightly-colored, tubular flowers.
It has a light and airy charm and looks best when it's hand-trimmed to form a natural mounded shape, rather than trying to keep it manicured with hedge trimmers.
Now this is not the native variety, for all you native plant purists out there, though many nurseries sell the dwarf as just "firebush," which can get confusing.
Here's how to tell the difference:
The native grows larger and has slightly "hairy" leaves and deep red to red-orange flowers. It's dwarf "cousin" can be kept smaller and more compact, though with a similar informal look.
The smaller variety has smoother leaves and a touch of yellow to the blossoms...and requires a bit more care.
This shrub is a fast grower that can be kept 3 feet tall and wide, though you can let it grow larger if you prefer.
Though considered evergreen, the plant can lose leaves during a cold winter, though with proper pruning in spring it should sprout new growth and flush out again. A location sheltered from winter winds will help protect it.
These plants prefer full to partial sun, though they'll grow in part shade, where they'll flower less with more open growth.
Landscape uses for dwarf fire bush:
• accent for a mixed bed
• informal hedge
• butterfly garden plant
• lining a walkway or garden path
• along a medium-height or tall fence
• around a poolcage, patio, porch or deck
• understory planting for tall palms
• backdrop planting for smaller plants
by driveway