Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Dwarf Poinciana, Mexican Bird-of-Paradise

Beautiful

Love those vibrant colours...

Wow. that is some color!!!
I saw a small tree today that looks very similar to this....mind you I was driving. I did see seed pods. I will go back and ask the owner for some seeds...

Drc726, Milky:

Thanks! :>)

Alexandramou:

I'm almost positive you have lots of this Caribbean native shrubs/trees there where you live. It's somewhat hardy and loves extreme heat! Also, you rarely need to water them.

Do you think that I would have a chance with it here in South West France, Delonix?

beautiful!

Delonix,
I'm going to take a pictures of the shrub/tree when I go back for seeds....I have a feeling I'm going to walk away with a little seedling. I noticed there were a few smalls ones around that area...so they have self seeded...hurray.

Karenfrance:

It appears you get enough heat. It is deciduous in winter in cooler climates and tolerates quite a bit of cold and frost (no snow, though -- being tropical in origin) It's doesn't like cold wet soil in winter (it tolerates a little, though).

Alexandramou:

The seeds germinate very easily. It's also a very fast grower. One caveat though, it's very touchy to being pulled out of the ground (like many trees/shrubs in the legume family) the roots are very sensitive to disturbance. Get as much soil around the roots as possible. Also, water can be an issue...they need just enough water to live, however, any excess will rot them (almost like Plumeria) until established, anyway -- when they need virtually no water at all.

Good luck! :>)

Constancespry:

Thanks! :>)

Thank you both, Alex and Delonix...think I might be able to have a go!...on the higher ground, anyway. :)

Kerenfrance:

I'm sure you'll be successful growing one. :>)

Thanks Delonix, I have a few more tender plants which are usually fine with a bit of winter protection.

Not sure how cool/cold you get in winter.

We don't consider this plant to be tender here...as we grow a lot of tropical trees/plants here in San Diego's mild subtropical climate.

Some winters are quite mild, but unfortunately, some can get down to -14°C, though usually for only a short time...December and January. I put straw around roots and winter sheets around plants...

Karenfrance:

WOW! -14°C is incredibly COLD!!! That's enough to kill Caesalpinia pulcherrima...I think it's root-hardy to 20°F/-7°C. I've never tested that...as my garden never sees a frost and the average night time low is around 50°F/10°C in January, although I may get two to three morning lows of 41°F/5°C in late Dec. or beginning of Jan.

Yes! It is cold, Delonix! But that is exceptional...-7°C is actually more normal and not over a prolongued period! I am careful to put things in sheltered places...it is only when I have not protected, that I have lost things...Having said that, quite a few things, which are frost tender, seem to flourish here without any care!

You should have not problem growing this shrub.

You should have no problem growing this shrub.

Not sure what going on with the double postings!

I went back for seeds Delonix....Nope not this tree/shrub. I'm searching the net for a name. The lady was watering her garden and let my take loads and loads of seed pods. We looked for little seedling but none. I have sown some seeds indoors and some outdoors in a pot...I have a feeling they will spout in spring. Will know more when I find out what tree it is.

Do you have a photo of the tree/shrub? Maybe I can identify it.

It's seeds for Rattlebox Tree (Sesbania punicea) "Scarlet Wisteria"
I read up on it....not too sure about it but I've sown the seeds anyway. It's a real pretty tree.

I was thinking it might be this tree. I couldn't remember the genus. lol!

This is a real pretty tree...they grow wild in some areas here in San Diego. It can become invasive, though.

There's a light orange/coral colored variety which is really beautiful!

Pretty :)

Thanks! I'm sure they grow very well there, also.

Its rated as hardy to zone 7. Of course,it helps that at the edge of its tolerance,summers need to be hot to get it through. San Francisco is frost free..but also warm free. They are not grown there.

It's rated to Zone 7; however, it will freeze to the ground in most of 9a. Here's it's almost evergreen.

Right now the shrubs looks terrific in the extreme heat.

My cousin had one the size of a small tree in hot Pleasanton. Another in Hayward is a shrub..but in winter,its always bare with pods.

Yes, they grow into small trees here, also.

In Palm Springs they can grow pretty darn large. I was surprised how tall they can grow out in the extreme heat of the Coachella Valley.

Wow fire glow it should be named it lovely.