Pride of Barbados, Red Bird of Paradise, Dwarf Poinciana, Peacock Flower 'Compton'

I have this plant and grew mine from seed. Let's just say the seeds were acquired abroad (South America). I couldn't help myself! Anyway,...Read More the largest of my young plants is currently in bloom. From my experince, it takes two years from seedling to bloom.

I do have additional seeds to share with anyone who would like this beauty in their garden.

This plant is currently not readily available from garden centers in my area (Gainesville, Florida, zone 8B). I started my plants from s...Read Moreeeds which I ordered online. This plants likes as much full sun as they can get, and once established is very xerophytic, surviving only on rain water alone. Mine get 6-8 feet tall and have many feather leaves and the flower stalks are covered in those really nice blooms from September until the first frost, which knocks it back to the ground. It maybe mid to late April before any new growth is seen and each year it gets a little bushier. In more frost free climates it may be considered somewhat invasive, but in north Florida it usually gets killed back to the ground before the seeds become ripe and viable, but is not difficult to simply remove the seed pods once they form. The stems are covered with thorns so maybe something to be mindful off. This is a plant well worth trying in zone 8 to provide a tropical look, sure to turn heads.

Very attractive and hardy shrub in zone 10a. Locally known as the 'dwarf gulmohar (delonix regia)'. The flowers are very similar in appea...Read Morerance to the royal poinciana. Does well in sun as well as partial shade to deep shade. I have a little forest of the pink variety planted in a mostly shady place over a septic tank where the earth covering the septic tank area is about 3 to 4 feet deep only.

Under these conditions the dwarf poincianas reached a height of 12 feet. Pruned them down to 6-7 feet height after the cool flowering season without a problem. Flowers throughout the year except the hot summers.

The pink variety is unusual here. Mostly this poinciana is seen here as red, reddish-orange or yellow touched with red. All varieties of the blooms are pretty and a good substitute for the Royal Poinciana (delonix r.) in smaller gardens, but a group of the pink flowering variety look absolutely striking. Pruning it carefully for shape makes it look more tree-like and interesting.

I've heard this makes a good houseplant flowering at a young age. I currently live in zone 6 so I'll have to bring this in during the win...Read Moreter. So far my seedlings are doing well(see my picture in the PlantFiles)! The little leaflets fold down at night