Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The bright blooms of the Estrellita Little Star Firecracker Bush or Russelia equisetiformis add a pop of vivid color to an outdoor space. Flowers grow in clusters on top of tall stems, and the long trumpet-shaped blooms look like fireworks. The flowers are complemented by narrow, sword-shaped foliage. This beauty blooms all summer long for an intense burst of consistent color.
This plant is native to the southwestern portion of North America, and as a native plant, it is both drought and heat tolerant and requires very little care once established. The compact growth habit makes this stunner a great addition to beds, borders, or containers, creating a low hedge. Make sure to trim the blooms to use as cut flowers. The flowers attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. Firecracker Bush grows as a perennial in USDA growing zones 8 through 10. This plant can be grown as an annual in cold climates or brought indoors for the winter.
Estrellita Little Star™ Firecracker Bush Care
Plenty of sunlight is necessary to help the Firecracker Bush continue to bloom. This plant can live in areas with full or partial sun, but the more light, the better. Mature plants are drought-tolerant, but water whenever the top several inches of the soil dry out to support healthy growth and consistent flower production. Soil should be well-draining and acidic.
Prune the plant in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. You can deadhead the plant to maintain a neat appearance, but this bush will continue to bloom without removing spent flowers. Feed your Firecracker Bush every other week spring through fall using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
Estrellita Little Star™ Firecracker Bush Spacing
A mature Estrellita Little Star Firecracker Bush will be 1.5 to 2 feet tall and wide, so it maintains a relatively compact size. Plant this bush 2 feet apart from other plants if you want to create a uniform border or hedge or space the plants further apart for a more spread-out look. A large container is enough space for one Firecracker Bush.
Estrellita Little Star™ Firecracker Bush Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 8 to 10 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 1-2 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 1-2 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Orange
- Flower Description
- Reddish Orange
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Bright Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Estrellita Little Star™ Firecracker Bush
- Botanical Name
- Bouvardia x 'WINBUESLST' USPPAF
- Brand
- Proven Winners
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!