Use: Accent piece or tall bedding plant.
Characteristics: Purple Firespike is a beautiful winter-blooming accent. It does best in partial sun and organic soils. Flowers are unusual, tubular-shaped clustering around a flower stalk that extends 8"-16" above the foliage. This is a favorite of hummingbirds. There is also a Red Firespike that blooms in all warm months. Plants can easily grow to 7' tall and love partial shade.
Trimming: In the spring, perform a hard cutback on mature plants down to 12" - 18" tall with hand pruners. DO NOT SHEAR. Another hard cutback can be done in October. Any more pruning after this will inhibit winter flowering.
Fertilization: Fertilize in March, June, and October with a well balanced, time-released granular fertilizer.
For more information about building a garden for your estate in South Florida, please contact Peter Strelkow, principal at HS2G.