Summer Flowers of the Red Bird of Paradise Plant

Red Bird of Paradise plants have the formidable botanical name of Caesalpinia pulcherima but in countless garden, parks, mountainsides and along highway medians in the U.S., Mexico, Asia, Africa and Central America, this vibrant summer flower is known and loved as The Red Bird of Paradise. Despite the name it is not related to the Strelitzia Bird of Paradise although both plants thrive in the same conditions and are sometimes grown side by side for added spectacular effect. It is a colorful fast growing perennial shrub with masses of flowers and it is also known as Mexican Bird of Paradise, the Peacock Flower, Pride of Barbados, Dwarf Poinciana and in tropical Thailand it is called Haang-nok-yuung or Peacock’s Tail.

Red Bird of Paradise Plants

Mention Red Bird of Paradise and it will most likely be assumed that this plant has a red flower. Well it has and a lot more colors besides.

• On some plants the flowers can be orange to red, some are dark red almost scarlet and some petals are two-tone, having both red and yellow edges and then just to add more interest there is one Caesalpinia pulcherima which is a vivid yellow.

• When the Red Bird of Paradise is in full bloom it can appear to be bright red, dark red, orange and yellow all at once, a veritable flaming spectacle which seems to flower effortlessly throughout the summer.

• Buy these plants in flower as the leaves look the same but the flowers vary greatly.

• To prolong flowering prune this plant regularly. Cut back any faded blooms during the flowering season and the best time for a formal pruning is late winter or early spring.

From a distance Red Bird of Paradise can be mistaken for the colorful Lantana but up close the leaves are frilly and lacy and the flowers are much larger and have 10 long, delicate curving stamens for added distinction. The ferny leaves can be up to 20″ in length and are bipinnate with rows of delicate light green oval shaped leaflets.

Growing a Red Bird of Paradise Plant

The Red Bird of Paradise is a perennial flowering shrub and will reward any gardener with months of flowers with the minimum of effort.

• Any well drained soil will suffice, even rocky conditions will not hamper this vigorous plant.

• Red Bird of Paradise will not tolerate water logged roots so if planting in tubs clear the drainage holes regularly.

• In an open site water infrequently but deeply. It tolerates drought.

• Plant in full sun and select the site with care as this plant can grow 10ft. tall although 5-6ft. is pretty normal.

• Temperatures similar to U.S. zones 8 – 11 are ideal. Warm winters and hot dry summers are prime conditions.

• The plant likes some space so plant it about 6ft. apart.

• Frost will make the plant die back but it will rarely kill it. Once the frost hits it the leaves will turn yellow and die away but once the summer comes it will burst into new life with renewed vigor.

• With changing weather conditions historically warm regions can suddenly be hit by severe frost and if this should happen prune the plants and cover the ground with some protective material.

Red Bird of Paradise Propagation

Increasing the stock of Red Bird of Paradise is done by seed and it is simple and effective. The seeds can be purchased in garden centers or collected from the shrubs. This plant is from the pea and bean family so the seed pods are similar to pea pods only brown when ripe for harvesting. Soak the seeds for 24 hours and lightly sand the outer shell to encourage new beginnings. It is also possible to increase the stock by keeping a lookout for seedlings in the mulch under the plant. The seeds are toxic so caution is advised.

Although it resembles a Lantana more than its namesake, the Strelitzia Bird of Paradise, the Red Bird of Paradise plant is a low maintenance shrub with a dazzling display of multi-colored flowers that bloom all summer and is a sure favorite in tropical gardens.