This shrub has many upright and spreading branches that form an open rounded habit. It has purple tinged mid green oval leaves and the red tube-shaped flowers are tipped in black and they appear solitary over the plant during summer. 

Hardiness zones 10 to 12

Cuphea ignea is naturally found in North America growing in Mexico in well drained fertile moist light sandy stony soils in an open sunny position and is frost and drought tender. 

Cigar Flower is grown for its shrubby habit and flowers. It is planted in small gardens along low borders or used in rockeries for colour. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions establishing in 2-4 years. It is also grown in large pots or patio tubs and gives a long lasting floral display. ID 332

Cuphea (KEW-fee-a) ignea (IG-nee-a)

 “Cuphea”, from Greek kyphos, “curved”, referring to the bottom of the flower tube; “ignea”, Latin for “like fire”, referring to the flower colour.

Lythraceae (ly-THRAY-see-ee)
Loosestrife, Pomegranate, Water Chestnut, Crepe Myrtle, Mangrove Apple