cuphea ignea - Gardening
Almost everyone is thrilled when hummingbirds visit their garden. It is really a matter of picking out the right flowers such as the new Ballistic, a variety of Cuphea ignea. The cuphea (KEW-fee-ah) ...
Understanding the Context
Cuphea ignea, commonly called cigar plant, cigar flower, firecracker plant, or Mexican cigar, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cuphea of the family Lythraceae. Cigar plant (Cuphea ignea): This tender, low-growing perennial does best in USDA zones 10 to 12, and the burgundy blooms put on a show from late spring to fall. The genus name, Cuphea, originates from the Greek word, kyphos, meaning curved or humped and most likely refers to the shape of its seed capsules. The specific epithet, ignea, is derived from the Latin word for "fire" and references the plant's colorful flowers.
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Botanically called Cuphea ignea, cigar plant flowers bloom in full sun to partial shade. The small cigar plant shrub usually reaches no more than 24 inches (61 cm.) in height, although some cigar plant info says it can reach a height and spread of up to 3 feet (1 m.). Noted for its profuse floral display, Cuphea ignea (Cigar Flower) is a spreading evergreen sub-shrub boasting a profusion of cigar-shaped, fiery reddish-orange flowers adorned with black tips and white edges. Cuphea ignea, the cigar plant, cigar flower, [2] firecracker plant, or Mexican cigar, sometimes referred to as cigarette plant or cigarette bush is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cuphea of the family Lythraceae. Known botanically as Cuphea ignea, this flowering shrub is easy to grow and makes an eye-catching houseplant.
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Give it lots of sunlight and you'll enjoy plenty of flowers for months on end. Often called the Mexican Cigar Plant, Cuphea ignea looks like it is perpetually celebrating a tiny fiesta. Native to Mexico and Jamaica, this evergreen sub-shrub is a favorite for gardeners who want to turn their balcony or backyard into a bustling diner for hummingbirds. Cuphea ignea (Cigar Plant) thrives in bright light with some sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in spring and summer. Cuphea ignea, commonly known as the Firecracker Plant or Mexican Cigar Plant, is a delightful and eye-catching plant that hails from Mexico and Jamaica. Its colorful, tubular flowers and neat, rounded form make it a favorite in gardens and containers alike.