Shrubs - Bird of paradise (Red)

Big, bright bushy color! Due to its extreme adaptable habit and seemingly unending summer color, Red Birds are one of the most popular evergreens to semi-evergreen shrubs used throughout the frost-free southwest. These are large growing shrubs they are designed with their mature size in mind. They do take some time to root in and develop fully, with heat and humidity being most beneficial. They are tolerant of nutritionally average soils but good drainage is critical. Long lacy green compound leaves cover each branch from the base to the tips, with flowers forming in summer of bright orange edged with yellow. As with other Caesalpinia sp., seed pods develop as flowers fade. Selective pruning to remove these pods will encourage more flowers. Hard annual pruning virtually to the ground can be done in Jan. to Feb. to refresh, large tired looking plants.  Also known as Pride of Barbados.

Scientific name:  Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Mature size:  10-15 ft. high x 6-10 ft. wide

Sun:  Full sun