This document printed from the University
of Illinois Extension A Gardeners Place at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/
Awesome Plant Profile: Cuphea
June 16, 2006
Cuphea is a colorful tender perennial (Zone 8 and above) that is grown as an annual in our area. It is well-suited to container gardens, hanging baskets, and window boxes, as well as edging in a mixed border. Cuphea is a member of the Lythraceae family, which includes Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), Henna (Lawsonia inermis) and the notorious Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). However, cuphea is a well-behaved plant, with no apparent invasive qualities; the family association comes from the fact that most species have long flower spikes. The genus name is derived from the Greek word kyphos, meaning curved, which is a reference to the curved seed pods on the plant. The genus Cuphea contains a number of species and varieties, most of which are now available either in local garden centers or by mail order. Given its wide range of color combinations, cuphea is a great plant for a mixed container, whether you are looking for complimentary colors or vivid contrast.
Culture
Each of the species shares a preference for full sun or part shade, and grows best in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Although natives of Mexico and Guatemala, most species of cuphea need regular watering, and if grown in containers they should be watered daily in very hot weather, at least until established. Cuphea can be propagated from seed or cuttings, or bought as plants; if grown from seed, it should be started about 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost, and planted out after all risk of frost has passed. While newly purchased plants may have only a couple of flower spikes, growth is rapid and cuphea is quickly covered with flowers. Most species bloom continuously from late spring through early fall, so there is always a great floral show. Given the bright colors and tubular shape of its flowers, it is a great favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds.
Cuphea hyssopifolia
This species is most commonly known as Mexican Heather or False Heather It has been available locally for several years in garden centers in a dwarf form, and is a bushy little plant with numerous upright branches. It has small, dark green, glossy leaves, and a season-long profusion of small flowers in pink, white, or–most commonly here–a light purple color ('Allyson'). While the full-sized C.hyssopifolia can grow into a shrub up to three feet tall, the dwarf variety grows to only about 10 inches with a spread of up to two feet, and is thus very useful as edging in a border. A newer variety, C. hyssopifolia 'Gold', is a slower growing form with golden leaves and an abundance of pink flowers.
Cuphea ignea
This very attractive and floriferous cuphea is known as the Firecracker Plant or Cigar Plant. The common names come from the unusual shape and coloration of its flowers: the species is covered with arching spikes of one-inch tubular blooms, bright orange tipped in black, giving them the appearance of little burning embers. (Ignea is from the Greek for fiery.) It is a shrubby plant typically growing to one foot tall, spreading from 12 to 36 inches, with numerous stems that sway in the breeze and occasionally trail over its pot. This is a great choice for hanging baskets or mixed containers, as it weaves beautifully in and out of its companion plants. Named cultivars include 'David Verity', with dark reddish orange flowers on spikes that can grow up to 24 inches tall, and 'Petite Peach', with flowers in a delicate peachy orange, which is spectacular paired with copper leaved plants such as Acalypha 'Ceylon' or deep orange coleus.
Cuphea llavea
This species is whimsically called Bat Face, Bunny Ears, or Tiny Mice. Each of its tubular flowers is topped with two large round petals of a contrasting color, giving the effect of a cluster of little faces with large ears. C. llaveais more drought-tolerant than the other species, and is suitable for xeriscaping. Like C. ignea, it has slightly woody arching spikes, and is highly recommended for hanging baskets and mixed containers, or can even be used as groundcover. Until recently, 'Firecracker', with dark purple and red blooms, was the only locally available variety. The new 'Flamenco' series features slightly taller (24 inch) mounding clumps covered throughout summer with the adorable 'bat faces', and provides variants to the original color scheme: 'Flamenco Rumba' has coral red petals spotted in purple, 'Flamenco Tango' is pink and violet, and 'Flamenco Samba' is dark red with purple. Another relatively new introduction, C. llavea 'Caribbean Sunset' is a "mouse ear" plant loaded with tubular yellow flowers blushed orange, with purple 'ears' perched atop the blooms. This plant can reach a height of 18 to 24 inches. C. miniata 'Summer Medley' is a mounding and spreading plant with stems of violet and red flowers, while the blooms of C. procumbens 'Purple Star' have a cream center surrounded by six (instead of two) purple petals.
Cuphea micropetala
This is one of the larger cupheas, known as the Giant Cigar Plant. It forms a shrub up to four feet tall, with larger flowers than C. ignea, despite its epithet (micropetala means having small petals). It is said to be an outstanding hummingbird magnet, with orange, yellow, and white tubular flowers resembling candy corn, carried on erect to arching two-foot stems. This is a later-blooming variety, flowering from August to November. I'm particularly interested in seeing how this one turns out, as I have just planted it my garden for the first time, and hope it will please the ruby-throated hummers who pass through my garden late each summer.
Do you have a gardening question? Email the Extension's Electronic Plant Clinic at rwolford@uiuc.edu, and our Master Gardeners will be glad to assist you.
