Description

A wonderfully carefree evergreen shrub with masses of showy, scarlet, bottle brush-shaped flowers in spring and summer. A very dramatic accent, hedge or screen plant with leathery gray-green foliage that provides year-round interest. Tolerates poor soils, heat and mild drought when established. Thrives in average, lightly acidic, well-drained soil; avoid alkaline soils. Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. More drought tolerant in coastal areas; less tolerant in hot, arid regions. Apply fertilizer in early spring. Prune to shape after flowering. Does best in full sun. Reaches 10-12' tall and wide in 10 years. Will get larger with age. Blooms attract hummingbirds. This shrub tolerates coastal conditions.