PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun (6+ hours of direct daily sunlight) for maximum bloom production; tolerates partial shade with reduced flowering output
Watering
Water deeply when the top 5–7 cm of soil is dry; avoid overhead watering to minimize leaf disease risk
Temperature
Hardy to -30°C; tolerates summer heat up to 35°C with consistent soil moisture
Characteristics
- Leaf: Glossy, dark green oval leaves with serrated margins; highly disease-resistant to powdery mildew and black spot
- Flower: Double paprika-red blooms (7–9 cm wide) that fade to coral-pink as they mature; clustered in groups of 3–5
- Stem: Thorny, upright to mounding stems with dense, branching growth habit
Care Guide
Watering
Water deeply once weekly during dry spells; maintain consistent soil moisture to support continuous blooming
Fertilization
Apply balanced organic fertilizer in early spring to support new growth. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can reduce the shrub's natural disease resistance
Banana peel compost tea：Soak fully composted banana peels in water for 24 hours; dilute the tea 1:20 with water before applying as a root drench to avoid nutrient burnPruning
- Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering throughout the growing season
- Thin crowded branches in early spring to improve airflow and reduce disease risk
- Cut back old, woody stems to 15–30 cm in late winter to stimulate vigorous new growth
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic; no known adverse effects from ingestion or skin contact
Humans: Non-toxic; ingestion of large quantities of leaves or flowers may cause mild gastrointestinal upset
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: Rich red blooms symbolize love and passion, adding warm, long-lasting color to residential garden spaces
Usage: Ornamental garden shrub, mass landscape plantings, border edging, and container gardening
