Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Common: Red bird of paradise, Barbados pride,
Dwarf poinciana
Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Origin: Mexico, West Indies
Sunset Zone: 12-16, 18-23
Temperature: Freezes at approximately 30 degrees F but recovers in warm weather. Tolerates extreme heat. May be evergreen in areas of mild winters.
Light: Full sun
Soil: Should be planted in well-drained soil.
Water: Will stand dry soil, very drought tolerant. Additional water in summer increases growth.
Used for quick screening or boundary plant, or as accent. Nice specimen plant with showy flowers. Looks very attractive on open lawn areas. Use in front of hot walls.
Fast growth to 10 ft. tall, 10 ft. wide.
Tropical deciduous shrub; festive, warm flower colors. Half hardy to frost. Dark green leaves with many 3/4 in. leaflets, giving feathery appearance. Blooms throughout warm weather; orange or red flowers, rarely yellow. Clustered, with conspicuously long stamens.
Freezes at approximately 30 degrees F but recovers in warm weather. Tolerates extreme heat. May be evergreen in areas of mild winters.
Freezes to ground in colder areas, but rebounds quickly. Can be cut back to ground in early spring to make more compact mound. Attracts hummingbirds.