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CALIBRACHOA (MILLION BELLS® CRACKLING FIRE)

Image of Calibrachoa 'Sunbelfire' (MILLION BELLS® CRACKLING FIRE, MILLION BELLS® SERIES) PP16684

Grandiflora

Family

Solanaceae

Botanical Name

CALIBRACHOA 'Sunbelfire'( MILLION BELLS® CRACKLING FIRE, MILLION BELLS® SERIES) PP16684

Plant Common Name

Calibrachoa, Crackling Fire Million Bells, Million Bells® Crackling Fire Calibrachoa

General Description

The yellow and red bi-colored flowers of Million Bells® Crackling Fire are the shades of a warm sunset or glowing fire. This vigorous bedding plant has a spreading to mounding habit and will bloom freely all season with good care.

Calibrachoa have become some of the most popular bedding plants on the market. Members of the Million Bells® Series are no exception. They have distinctly trailing habits and produce an explosion of colorful blooms all season. These warm season tender perennials are often grown as annuals and look like miniature petunias, but their funnel-shaped flowers are smaller and less radial. There are many color variants including red, pink, white, orange, apricot and yellow-flowered cultivars. Their blooms appear from summer to fall along trailing stems lined with small, light green leaves.

All Calibrachoa appreciate full sun and good garden loam with ample drainage. Since they flower so prolifically, they need regular water and fertilizer, but please don’t over water as this can lead to root or crown rot. Deadheading is not required but plants bloom better late in the season if they are lightly cut back in late summer.

These vibrant high performers will add a splash of color to any sunny garden spot and are perfect for hanging baskets or containers. They also look great planted in masses or spilling over the edge of a retaining wall.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 11

  • Sunset Zone

    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Partial Sun

  • Height

    6"-10" / 15.2cm - 25.4cm

  • Width

    10"-14" / 25.4cm - 35.6cm

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Yellow, Red, Orange, Orange Red

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Gray Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Hanging Basket, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds

  • Self-Sowing

    No