Basic Facts, Growing Instructions on Flowers: Prides-of-Barbados

Prides-of-Barbados, commonly referred to as red birds-of-paradise, flourish in hot climates. Many flowering plants requiring much water and shade wither in triple digit weather conditions, as gardeners living in states and countries close to the equator report. Therefore, gardeners in hot climate regions favor their prides-of-Barbados, plants that maintain their health and the blooms their vivid coloring throughout the long, hot summer months.

Scientific Classifications for Prides-of-Barbados

Botanists, who documented their research on the United States Department of Agriculture website, classify prides-of-Barbados as vascular plants, seed plants, and flowering plants. The warm climate plants belong to the pea family and the dicotyledons class, and their scientific name is caesalpinia pulcherrima.

Appearance of Prides-of-Barbados

Prides-of-Barbados are flowering shrubs. When not in blossom, the plants may appear like ferns to untrained eyes. The blooms disillusion the viewers and earn the plants the name red birds-of-paradise. Emerging in late spring, the spikes grow straight out from the shrubs. The red-orange and yellow-orange blooms bud and blossom on these spikes all through summer and into autumn. If gardeners are willing to search, they can find prides-of-Barbados with pink and yellow blooms.

Where to Find Prides-of-Barbados

Gardeners who live in hot and humid regions treasure their prides-of-Barbados, as well as their firecracker plants, hardy hibiscuses, and salvia ‘indigo spires.’ Unlike many flowering plants, these plants can withstand triple digit temperatures and occasional droughts, making them ideal for gardens in Mexico and southwestern states in the United States. Gardeners may also plant and grow prides-of-Barbados for the hummingbirds and butterflies the plants attract.

Caring for Prides-of-Barbados

These warm climate plants require little care. When watering budgets are tight and rainclouds hidden, gardeners may choose not to water their prides-of-Barbados and save the water for their high maintenance plants. They know these high climate plants will continue to blossom through the season and last to see another year. On the other hand, the plants grow best and blossom most when watered once or twice a week.

Overall, gardeners looking to add some color to their flowerbeds during the summer will take great delight in prides-of-Barbados. When the winter and spring blooms fade, the red-orange and yellow-orange blooms keep gardens cheerful. The blooms also cheer women when incorporated in bouquets, along with cymbidiums and tulips.

Resources:

National Gardening Association: Five Fireproof Flowers

National Gardening Association: Flowers for the Southern Summer Honor Roll

National Gardening Association: Top Ten Plants for Pollinators

United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conversation Service: Caesalpinia pulcherrima