Firecracker Bush
Bouvardia ternifolia
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Bouvardia ternifolia, the firecracker bush, is a compact, heat-loving shrub of the southwestern United States and Mexico, hung from late spring to frost with clusters of long, slender, scarlet-red tubular flowers. Few plants pull hummingbirds in like this one: the bright tubes are pitched exactly for their bills, and the bloom keeps coming through the hottest months when little else holds color.
Whorls of narrow leaves clothe a tidy, two-to-three-foot frame. A creature of sun and lean, dry, well-drained ground, the firecracker bush shrugs off heat and drought and thrives where water is scarce. Native to the desert Southwest, root-hardy in zone 8 and a year-round shrub in frost-free gardens.
Plant firecracker bush in a hot, sunny border, a rock or gravel garden, a dry bank, or a xeric planting, where the scarlet tubes draw hummingbirds and butterflies all season. Pairs naturally with salvias, agastache, and other sun-and-drought lovers, and earns a place as one of the best heat-tolerant flowering shrubs for the warm garden.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 8–10
- Sun
- Full Sun
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 2–3 Feet · Spread 2–3 Feet
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Seasonality
- Dies back, depends on zone
Slender scarlet-red tubular flowers in clusters, late spring to frost
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.