Bouvardia Estrellita™ Scarlet Firecracker Bush

A Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrubs variety, Bouvardia Estrellita™ Scarlet is a deciduous shrub offering 3 seasons of interest. From spring through fall, the plant explodes in clusters of starry flowers bursting with brilliant color in a vivid shade of true red. The shrub blooms continuously without deadheading; and the nectar-rich flowers are not only a favorite of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds but also of florists.

A Bouvardia hybrid, commonly called firecracker bush, Estrellita Scarlet has a compact, upright habit and fast growth rate. The shrub is shown to best effect when massed or grouped and is a natural for perennial, pollinator, and cutting gardens, and it makes a gorgeous low hedge. It's perfect for mixed beds and borders and is also a great "filler" for container gardens.

Easy to grow, bouvardia grows best in sunny locations with average, well-draining soils, having an acidic pH. Firecracker bush is deer resistant. Estrellita Scarlet is also drought and heat tolerant. For best overall results, fertilize in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer specialized for trees and shrubs, following the recommended rate of application.

A native plant, bouvardia is indigenous to North America, growing naturally in the Southwest U.S. Native plants are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Naturally adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the region, they thrive without fertilizers or extra watering, once established. They also act as natural pest controls, reducing the need for pesticides in the garden. Landscaping with native plants promotes biodiversity and provides shelter and quality food for wildlife and pollinators, bringing gardens to life.