I fell in love with the firecracker plants (Russelia equisetiformis) as soon as I saw them. The long graceful branches and delicate red flowers were a must-have. I bought two and planted them in the shade in a large container in the backyard. My hope was that as the branches grew, that they would drape over the sides of the container.

At first they seemed to be OK, but then I watched them decline. I decided the problem was that the soil was not fertile enough to support them. It was mainly sand without enough organic matter. I fertilized each plant and waited. It didn’t seem to be enough and they continue to turn from green to brown. Two weeks ago, I dug them up, cut off the dried brown branches, and replanted them in nutrient rich potting soil.

The remaining branches started to turn bright green again within a day. Two days ago I put them back in the ground in a location where the soil is well drained but within drip range of the new microirrigation system. I took time to amend the soil this time with compost for nutrients and peat moss to hold the moisture.

They seem to be doing well and are again blooming. They are still in an area where the branches will drape to cover a large area. Hopefully I have prepared the soil for the plants so they will continue to grow.