Early Summer Fire

Quisqualis pseudomusiendifolia 'Red Riot'
Quisqualis pseudomussiendifolia ‘Red Riot’Identity crisis ..

Identity crisis ..

That’s what some plants suffer when viewed from a distance. And red, being so conspicuous always catches the eye. Just another poinsettia ….. in December ? Wait a MINUTE ! A poinsettia with a strangely lax habit and the inflo’s not terminal on branch ends  …. THAT is no poinsettia, that is a Quisqualis pseudomussiendifolia ‘Red Riot’ of course it is ..!

Now, some you will know Quisqualis from its cousin the Rangoon Creeper but this is less a climber or a shrub and really more a climber/shrub.  So useful to lean over fencing for its bower habit. If planted out as part of a mixed shrub combination in a west facing aspect like mine here at “Sea-Changer”, its open habit will probably reach 2 to 3m and the more heat the better.

As for the “flowers”, like the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) the showy “petals” are really modified leaves. You can see the tiny flower tubes opening white from the centre of each bract cluster. Beautiful seen from above viewed from decks or step out patios and makes a thrilling blaze against the dark glossy greens of viburnum odouritissimum, gardenia, michelia figo, rothmania or posoqueria the Sth American Needle Bush.              

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Peter

Design & Project Manages gardens from exciting plants for the cool subtropics Sydney and Eastern Australian NSW Coast.

2 thoughts on “Early Summer Fire”

  1. Where can I buy this plant? It looks like so difficult to get it when I search around Brisbane.

    1. Hi Dan, sorry for the extremely late reply !!! Your best bet is any of the excellent Plant Fairs in Brisbane and other non-general line points of sale like Tropic Plant Spectacular on 24th MAY and 22nd NOV ’25 at Mount Cootha Auditorium, Mount Cootha Botanical Gardens FREE ENTRY

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