Firecracker Flower, or Cigar Flower
This is a spreading, freely branching, soft stemmed shrub or subshrub, often grown as an annual, with lance shaped to narrowly oblong, glossy, bright green leaves. From late spring to autumn, slender red flowers, each with a dark red band, a white rim, and 2 tiny black-purple petals, are borne singly from the upper leaf axils. Hardiness rating is zone 10 to 11, but it comes back reliably from roots every year here. It should be grown in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
 | Date Acquired: Unknown, was in yard already |
| Place Acquired: Unknown |
| Planted Out: North side of Island bed 1 |
| Details: Cuttings rooted last fall, rooted fairly easily, planted early this spring on South side of Island bed 1, newly rooted cuttings began blooming before mother plant. Began blooming early April 1999. |
