Firespike for winter color
by
Douglas Hunt
Many Southern gardeners are acquainted with red firespike, Odontonema strictum, which, depending on how far south you are, is either an herbaceous perennial or a medium-sized shrub. (It's root-hardy to zone 8.) The bright red flowers, which appear sporadically year-round, but particularly in fall and winter, are favorites of migrating hummingbirds. But there is also a purple-flowered version, Odontonema callistachyum, whose flowers I actually prefer. Unfortunately, it is not as hardy, and when there's a hard frost you don't get flowers. We haven't had one of those in two years, however, so mine are putting on a show. Both types of firespike will bloom in a good deal of shade. And they are among the easiest plants to propagate: You basically just take a cutting and stick it in the ground.
Odontonema callistachyum
Another view of the flowers
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Stunning. Never seen these before.
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