Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Barbados pride
An upright evergreen thorny shrub or small tree with feathery foliage to 4m high and wide, bearing very showy red and yellow flowers through the most of the year, but peaking in the spring and autumn
Other common names
Barbados flower fencedwarf poinciana
see moreflamboyant tree
paradise flower
peacock flower
Spanish carnation
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Red Yellow | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Caesalpinia can be shrubs, trees or climbing shrubs with evergreen, 2-pinnate leaves and terminal panicles or racemes of 5-petalled flowers with protruding stamens
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Trop. America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow outdoors in full sun in a frost-free area in moist but well-drained soil. Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Plants under glass may need a restrictive prune after the first flush of flowers. In hot climates it is tolerant of dry areas where it can be grown out of doors, providing a dense thorny barrier
Propagation
Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Architectural
- Cut flowers
- Wall side borders
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.