Gardening Trees, Shrubs & Vines Shrubs Firecracker Flower By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on November 16, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Firecracker Flower Overview Description A welcome pop of color in the winter, firecracker flowers lights up tropical and coastal gardens with its candy cornlike blossoms from fall until the heat of summer puts a halt to the show. The prolific flowers are calling cards for hummingbirds and bees, which visit the shrub frequently to gather nectar. Tolerant of sun or shade, firecracker flower is a great for planting near shaded patios, full-sun foundation garden beds, or in a perennial border. Genus Name Justicia rizzinii Common Name Firecracker Flower Plant Type Shrub Light Part Sun, Sun Height 1 to 3 feet Width 2 to 4 feet Flower Color Orange, Red, Yellow Foliage Color Blue/Green Season Features Fall Bloom, Spring Bloom, Winter Bloom Special Features Attracts Birds, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance Zones 10, 9 Propagation Seed, Stem Cuttings Using Firecracker Flower in the Garden Pair firecracker flower with camellia to create a colorful shrub border in a shaded location. Another brilliant winter-flowering shrub, camellia has roselike flowers that debut in fall, winter, or early spring depending on the cultivar. Both are evergreen, so together create an informal living screen or a colorful patio backdrop. Growing Firecracker Flower Firecracker flower grows well in full sun or shade and well-drained soil. Plant firecracker flower in fall or winter and water plants regularly to encourage a strong, deep root system. After established, firecracker flower has good drought tolerance. Few pests or diseases plague firecracker flower. Prune plants as needed to maintain shape in early summer after flowering tapers. This colorful plant also grows well in large containers. Plant it in a pot that is at least 24 inches wide and enjoy it as a patio shrub year-round. Repot it every 3 years or so to refresh the soil, transitioning to a larger container if you desire a larger plant. Maintain the shape of a container-grown plant by pruning the branch tips back by a few inches after the plant finishes blooming in early summer. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit