Estrellita Little Star Firecracker Bush (Bouvardia)
Best low-maintenance shrub for hummingbird-loving gardeners seeking vibrant, year-round color.
Brighten your garden with the Estrellita Little Star™ Firecracker Bush, a vibrant shrub that brings a continuous summer fireworks display. Its compact, mounding habit is adorned with clusters of star-like tubular blooms in warm hues of red, orange, and hot pink. This low-maintenance plant flowers all summer without deadheading, attracting hummingbirds while deterring deer. Perfect for mass plantings or containers, its evergreen foliage offers year-round visual interest, thriving in full sun to part sun conditions.
$24.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
866
/ 2688
#866 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-37%
Below average
Botanical name
Bouvardia x 'WINBUESLST'
/ Bouvardia x 'WINBUESLST'
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking vibrant, season-long color in their landscape
- Wildlife enthusiasts looking to attract hummingbirds to their patio
- Container gardeners needing compact plants for pots and baskets
Who should skip it
- Cold-climate gardeners wanting low-maintenance, year-round outdoor perennials
- Busy homeowners unable to commit to a strict watering schedule
- Indoor gardeners hoping to avoid frequent pest monitoring and treatment
Performance breakdown
Maintenance Effort
Self-cleaning blooms eliminate the tedious chore of manual deadheading.
Wildlife Attraction
Vibrant tubular flowers act as a magnet for local hummingbirds.
Environmental Resilience
Robust heat and drought tolerance ensures survival during peak summer months.
Visual Impact
Compact mounding habit provides a dense, colorful display for small spaces.
Deer Resistance
Reliable deterrent properties keep hungry deer away from your garden beds.
Versatility
Perfectly suited for both container gardening and mass landscape plantings.
Key Specs
Botanical name
Bouvardia x 'WINBUESLST'
Patent #
PP34579
USDA Hardiness Zones
8-10
Mature Height
1.5-2 feet
Mature Width
1.5-2 feet
Light Requirement
Full sun to part sun
Soil Requirement
Evenly moist, well-drained soil; intolerant of alkaline pH
Growth Rate
Moderate
Features
- Continuous summer blooms, no deadheading needed
- Attracts hummingbirds, deters deer
- Drought and heat tolerant
- Vibrant red, orange, and hot pink flowers
- Compact mounding growth habit
- Evergreen foliage for year-round interest
- Low maintenance care requirements
- Suitable for containers and mass plantings
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Estrellita Little Star for its spectacular performance and unique aesthetic. The abundance of star shaped flowers delivers continuous, vibrant color from summer through fall. A major highlight is the plant's exceptional ability to attract hummingbirds, enhancing garden life significantly. Reviewers consistently note that plants arrive healthy and establish quickly with minimal effort. While initial growth can be slow in cooler areas, the long bloom duration and striking texture it adds to landscapes are highly valued. This Bouvardia is considered a premium, high performing perennial that offers excellent garden impact and justifies its cost, earning strong community recommendations.
Know before you buy
No, this variety is self-cleaning. It produces continuous blooms throughout the summer without the need for manual deadheading.
It is an excellent choice for containers due to its compact, mounding habit. Just ensure your pot has good drainage and you keep the soil evenly moist.
The Estrellita Little Star is hardy only in USDA Zones 8-10. If you live in a colder region, you should treat it as an annual or grow it in a container that can be moved indoors during winter.
Yes, this plant is considered deer-resistant. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, deer generally avoid this shrub, making it a safer choice for gardens prone to browsing.
This plant requires well-drained soil and is specifically intolerant of alkaline pH levels. If your soil is naturally alkaline, you may need to amend it or grow the plant in a container with acidic potting mix.
It thrives in full sun to part sun conditions. For the most vibrant flower production, aim for at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
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Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$25