A common garden plant of Louisiana, the Russelia, or Firecracker Plant, has bright, brilliant red or yellow flowers. Each flower is shaped like a tall, thin vase and grows in clusters up to ten inches in length. An individual flower may grow up to 1.5 inches, while each flower’s stamen does not grow farther than the length of the petals. The shrubs grow up to nearly six feet in height and can live in partial shade or full sunlight.

Also known as the Coralblow, the Firecracker is usually used in ornamental gardens. Homeowners like to use it to hide unsightly fences, retaining walls, or other features that might be considered an eyesore in the garden. Since the plant is fast-growing and is made up of very thick, dense foliage, it works well as a cover. They are also somewhat drought resistant, making them a hardy, healthy garden addition that’s easy to care for. As evergreens, they also bloom for most of the year, keeping the yard attractive through each season.

Another benefit of having a Firecracker Plant in your garden is that it will attract local animals and insects. Bees and birds especially enjoy the flowers’ nectar, and will populate any yard containing Firecracker plants. This will help enhance the yard’s aesthetics as well as maintain a ready source of pollination for the other plants in the area.

A member of the hippocastanaceae, or horse chestnut, family, Russelia is also known as Red buckeye or Scarlet buckeye. Its scientific name is Aesculus pavia.

In addition to Louisiana, Firecracker plants are also native from North Carolina to Florida, as well as areas westward, including Illinois and Texas.