Cigar Flower named Dynamite #3
by J McCombie
Title
Cigar Flower named Dynamite #3
Artist
J McCombie
Medium
Photograph - Untouched
Description
Cuphea ignea (cigar plant, cigar flower, firecracker plant, or Mexican cigar) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cuphea of the family Lythraceae. It is a tropical, densely branched evergreen subshrub. This species, native to Mexico and the West Indies, produces small, tubular, bright red to orange flowers. Each flower is tipped with a thin, white rim and two small purple-black petals. The flower is said to resemble a lit cigar, hence the name. The leaves are small, elliptical and of a bright green colour. It grows to about 60 cm (24 in). The name ignea comes from the Latin for "fire". This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Whether you call them firecracker plants, cigar plants or cupheas, this is one annual sure to be a dynamite performer in your garden! Cuphea (pronounced koo-FAY-uh or KEW-fee-uh) has long been grown as a houseplant or greenhouse performer. Its hardy to USDA hardiness Zone 10 and susceptible to frosts, so most parts of the country grow this fantastic tender perennial as an annual.
The two most common species of cuphea grown are Cuphea ignea (ignea is Latin for fire and gives us the English word ignite) and Cuphea micropetala (meaning small petals). Cuphea ignea grows about a foot tall and wide. The individual orange-red flowers are tubular and quite small, but there are lots of them covering the plant, prolific blooms that seem to burst like fireworks. At the tip of each flower is a ring of stamens (the male parts of the flower), varying from yellow to bluish-brown the burning end of the cigar. These small red flowers have black and white lips. The white rim gives the appearance of the cigar being lit, hence the common name. Cuphea micropetala is a larger plant. It reaches up to 4 feet tall and has larger flowers that are yellow-orange at the tip and reddish at the base.
When it comes to firecracker plants, the most important thing to remember is that they love good soil! Make sure its well-drained with lots of organic matter, and remember to fertilize often (about every 2 weeks during summer). Plant them in full sun but give them some afternoon shade if you live in a really hot summer climate. Treat these plants well, and theyll reward you with flowers from frost to frost!
Because they like such good soil (which most of us dont have), cupheas are often planted in containers and hanging baskets, where soil fertility is easier to control. Like fuchsias, cupheas are also trained as standards a sort of mini-tree with a trunk and a big powder puff of flowers and foliage at the top.
For knockout color combos, plant cupheas with anything chartreuse. Variegated plants also help cool down the hot colors. Another great way to use cupheas is at the base of red-foliaged cannas the cupheas can hide your cannas legginess and harmonize with the foliage wonderfully. Use a vermilion pot to echo the flower color. However you use them, youll find cupheas are surprisingly versatile and can fit into your garden just about anywhere giving you months and months of flowering beauty all season long!
The attractive plant also entices hummingbirds to the garden.
Uploaded
November 12th, 2016
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