Cuphea (Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE)
Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE dazzles with continuous summer color; a low-maintenance annual perfect for beds and containers.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE, often simply called Cuphea or Firecracker plant, is a highly valued annual known for providing reliable, dense color from late spring until the first hard frost. This cultivar stands out due to its compact habit relative to some larger Cuphea species, making it exceptionally versatile for various garden applications. Gardeners appreciate Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE for its low-maintenance nature and its ability to thrive in the summer heat that often slows down other flowering plants.
This hybrid offers an extended display of tubular, bright orange-red flowers tipped with yellow or white, creating a striking visual against the deep green, lance-shaped foliage. While hardy in warmer regions (Zones 8-10), it performs admirably as a dependable annual filling beds, borders, and containers across cooler climates. Planting Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE ensures you have continuous vibrant color and a reliable magnet for local hummingbirds.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Lythraceae
- Plant Type: Annual
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2.5 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: May to October
- Bloom Description: Yellow-orange
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance, plant your Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE selections after the danger of frost has completely passed, ideally in spring. This plant prefers average, well-drained soil and thrives best when situated in full sun, though it can tolerate a bit of part shade. While established plants show good drought tolerance, they perform best and maintain the densest bloom display when provided regular moisture, fitting into a medium watering schedule.
Maintenance for this Cuphea is wonderfully straightforward. Water consistently; do not let the soil remain dry for extended periods, especially during peak summer heat. If stems begin to look leggy as the season progresses, pinching back the stem tips will encourage bushier growth and more flowers, maintaining a compact form. Container-grown plants can often be successfully overwintered indoors if bright, sunny conditions (around 60s F) and slightly reduced watering are provided.
New plants can be easily started from tip cuttings taken from healthy parent stock. In areas where Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE is grown as an annual, this provides an easy way to save a favorite specimen for the following season. Even as an annual, its robust performance guarantees a season-long contribution to the landscape.
Landscape Uses
The versatility of Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE makes it a star in diverse landscape designs. It serves excellently as a bedding annual along walkways or paths, providing continuous vertical interest where taller plants might crowd the view. Due to its moderate height and excellent heat tolerance, it works well toward the middle or back of mixed container arrangements on decks and patios, spilling slightly over the edges.
For those utilizing hanging baskets, this Cuphea hybrid offers structure underneath trailing elements, ensuring the basket remains vibrant throughout summer. Even indoors, container-grown specimens act as cheerful houseplants, offering unique color when other outdoor options are unavailable. Its preference for full sun suits edges bordering sunny lawns or patios where consistent flowering is desired.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Genus name comes from the Greek word kyphos meaning curved or humped in probable reference to the shape of its seed capsules. VERMILLIONAIRE is a compact Cuphea hybrid that offers a long lasting, dense floral display. The flowers are tubular in shape and bright orange-red with yellow to white coloration at the tips, attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators. Its leaves are lance-shaped, slightly glossy, and a deep green in color.
Tolerances
No specific tolerances listed in the data provided.
Potential Problems
Gardeners should monitor this Cuphea for common garden pests, specifically watching for aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites, particularly when grown in hot, confined container environments. Fungal issues such as powdery mildew and leaf spot can occur, especially if air circulation is poor or overhead watering is excessive. Root rot is a risk if soil drainage is inadequate, emphasizing the need for well-drained soil as noted in its cultural requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Cuphea suitable for?
This Cuphea variety is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 11, though it is frequently grown as an annual outside this range.
How large does Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE grow?
When used as an annual, it typically reaches a height between 1.5 and 2.5 feet, with a corresponding spread of 1 to 2 feet.
What sun exposure does Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE need?
It requires full sun for the best performance, although it tolerates partial shade.
When does Cuphea bloom?
This continuous bloomer starts flowering in May and continues strongly through October, displaying attractive yellow-orange blooms.
Conclusion
The Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE certainly earns its popularity by providing exceptionally long-lasting, vibrant color with minimal effort required from the gardener. Its adaptability to heat and varied uses—from borders to baskets—makes the genus Cuphea a treasure for summer landscapes. Before planting, confirm that your local hardiness zone supports overwintering or plan to treat your Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE as a glorious annual.
Propagation Tips
For gardeners looking to expand their collection of this showy plant, propagation via tip cuttings is a simple method utilized by nurseries. Take cuttings from healthy, non-flowering stem tips during the growing season. Planting these cuttings allows you to easily increase your stock of Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE or move premium plants indoors to attempt overwintering them as houseplants.
Wildlife Benefits
One of the most delightful aspects of growing this vibrant plant is its functionality as a nectar source for local wildlife. The tubular flower structure of the Cuphea is perfectly suited for attracting hummingbirds, which flock to the bright orange-red blossoms throughout the summer. Incorporating Cuphea VERMILLIONAIRE into your garden design is an excellent strategy for boosting local biodiversity and enjoying close-up views of these energetic flyers.
