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Growth Rate
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- Moderate. Picobella Rosso typically grows 6–12 inches per year, reaching its mature size in about 2–3 years under optimal conditions.
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
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Bloom Color
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Disease resistant
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Yes |
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Cold Tolerant
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Yes |
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Drought Tolerant
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No |
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Deer Resistant
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Yes |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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- Pollinators: The vibrant red flowers of Picobella Rosso attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These pollinators are drawn to the nectar-rich blooms, helping to support local wildlife and promote biodiversity in your garden.
Birds: The plant may also produce small seeds after flowering, which can attract birds looking for food in the fall. The dense foliage provides shelter for small birds as well.
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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- Spring to Summer: Picobella Rosso begins blooming in late spring, usually in May, with a profusion of bright red trumpet-shaped flowers. The blooms last throughout the early summer, providing vibrant color and a sweet fragrance. The shrub's lush green foliage remains healthy and vibrant, offering a nice contrast to the bright flowers.
- Fall: In the fall, the leaves turn yellow before dropping, providing a soft golden color that contrasts with the deep green of the shrub’s form. The plant goes dormant during the colder months, but its rounded shape still offers structure in the landscape.
Winter: Picobella Rosso enters dormancy in winter, shedding its leaves and leaving behind its upright, compact structure, which still provides interest in the winter garden.
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Leaf Description
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- Leaves: The leaves of Picobella Rosso are dark green, oval-shaped, and smooth. The dense foliage provides a solid backdrop to the colorful flowers, maintaining the plant’s aesthetic appeal even when the flowers fade. The leaves are healthy and vibrant throughout the growing season.
- Fall Color: As fall approaches, the leaves turn to shades of yellow before falling, offering a final splash of color before the plant enters dormancy.
- Texture: The leaves are smooth and slightly leathery, adding to the plant’s overall dense and refined appearance.
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Flower Description
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- Flower Description: Picobella Rosso produces vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in clusters. The flowers are a striking red, creating a vivid display that adds a burst of color to the garden. The sweet fragrance of the blooms attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Flower Longevity: The flowers bloom for several weeks, with new clusters continually emerging throughout the blooming period. Deadheading spent flowers can help encourage more blooms and keep the plant looking tidy.
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Planting Instructions
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- Best Time to Plant: The best time to plant Picobella Rosso is in early spring, after the last frost, or fall, before the first frost. These seasons allow the plant to establish strong roots before the growing season or the colder winter months.
- Planting Instructions: Choose a location with well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Picobella Rosso thrives in moist, well-drained soil and performs best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal flowering. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place the plant in the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with soil, firm it gently, and water thoroughly to settle the roots.
Spacing: Space plants about 2–3 feet apart to allow for their mature size and to ensure good air circulation, which helps prevent disease.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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- Pruning Time: Prune Picobella Rosso in early spring, just before new growth begins. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased stems, and trim the plant to maintain its shape.
- Pruning Tips: After the main bloom period, deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms and help maintain the plant’s tidy appearance. Light pruning throughout the growing season will help maintain its dense, rounded form.
- Maintenance Pruning: Regular deadheading and light shaping will help Picobella Rosso maintain its compact, tidy shape and encourage fresh growth.
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Water Needs
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- Watering: Picobella Rosso requires moderate watering, particularly during dry spells. Water deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. It prefers well-drained soil and does not tolerate standing water.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Picobella Rosso is moderately drought-tolerant but performs best with consistent moisture, especially during the blooming season.
- Watering Tip: Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can promote fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
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Light Needs
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- Light: Picobella Rosso thrives in full sun to partial shade. For optimal flowering, the plant should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In areas with very hot summers, some afternoon shade may help protect the plant from excessive heat while still allowing it to flower.
Shade Tolerance: While it can tolerate partial shade, the plant will bloom less prolifically and may have a more open form in low-light conditions.
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Harvesting
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- Harvesting: Picobella Rosso is perfect for use in floral arrangements due to its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. Cut stems with fully opened blooms for use in bouquets or vases. These flowers will last for several days in water, providing beauty and fragrance indoors.
- Seed Pods: After flowering, small seed pods may form, which can be left for birds to enjoy or harvested for future propagation.
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Fertilizing
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- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, just before new growth begins. This will help support strong growth, abundant flowers, and vibrant foliage throughout the growing season.
- Fertilizer Tip: Avoid fertilizers with high nitrogen content, as this can promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers. A balanced fertilizer with phosphorus and potassium will encourage healthy flowering and overall plant vitality.
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Pollination
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- Picobella Rosso produces both male and female flowers and is self-pollinating, meaning it does not require another plant for pollination. However, planting it near other pollinator-friendly plants can enhance overall pollination and result in more prolific blooms.
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Companion Plants
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- Perennials: Pair with perennials like Coreopsis, Echinacea, or Daylilies for added texture and color contrast in your garden.
- Shrubs: Combine with other small flowering shrubs such as Spiraea, Viburnum, or Hydrangea to create a layered, multi-textured garden.
Groundcovers: Low-growing groundcovers like Ajuga or Liriope will complement Picobella Rosso and enhance its appearance.
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