3. Firecracker Flower (Crossandra)

If you live in hardiness zones 9–11 and think that no flowers can resist this amount of heat, you need to hear about crossandra. This plant loves the sun and scorching weather. And this is not such a big surprise if we take a look into the past of this flower. It is native to India and Sri Lanka and is closely related to the Mexican petunia.

The Firecracker Flower is a fantastic addition to your garden because the dark green leaves and the orange or yellow flowers create an attractive contrast that will look incredible all summer long. Fun fact: one variety that has orange flowers is called “Florida Sunset”. What else speaks louder than this? Crossandra is perfect for the Sunshine State.

Usually, this tropical perennial will never grow taller than 3 feet, and if you give it enough sunlight, you can also keep it inside your home. If you decide to do this, remember to mist it regularly since it loves a humid environment.

If you want to have an imposing plant in your garden, don’t miss the next page.