Caesalpinia pulcerima Description

Caesalpinia pulcerima Description

Caesalpinia pulcerima is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the ice- free climate , deciduous shrub in zone 9 , and a returning perennial in zone 8 . In the tropics gets 15-20 'tall and stiff , spreading branches can cover about the same width . In cultivation peacock flower is usually 8-12 'tall , growing that large even after freezing to the ground the previous winter . Stem , branches and stems are armed with sharp thorns and leaves fernlike and twice compound , with many small , oval leaflets . Peacock flower lives up to its name with a very striking flowers of orange and red . The flowers are bowl shaped , 2-3 "across, with five crinkled, red and orange petals evenly , and ten bright red stamens protruding that extend far beyond the corolla . Flowers are borne in terminal groups 8-10 " high in most years in tropical climates and in late summer and fall where snow occur. There are also forms with yellow and forms with dark red flowers . Fruits , nuts typical , flat , 3-4 "long , and when ripe they split noisy to expose a small brown seeds .placeCaesalpinia pulcerima is believed to be native to the West Indies and tropical America . It is widely cultivated and has escaped cultivation and become established in tropical regions around the world , including South Florida . We at Floridata got our seeds from a missionary friend in the African nation of Chad ! He called them " lentils " , may translate from the French local dialect .cultureCaesalpinia pulcerima is very easy to grow in alkaline to acidic , well-drained soil . It is fast growing , but short-lived plants . It is quite tolerant of salty conditions . Peaccock interest benefit from pruning , and can be formed into a shape of a tree or bush form .Light : Full sun to partial shade . Peacock flowers bloom best in full sun .Moisture : Peacock flowers are drought tolerant .Hardiness : USDA Zones 8-11 . Peacock flower die to the ground after frost or freezing temperatures , but in zone 8B , at least , it comes back reliable , though late , in the middle of spring . Do not give up on it ! Peacock flower has survived temperatures as low as 18 F. It can be grown as an annual in colder climates . Even the ice-free conditions , peacock flower may lose its leaves when the temperature drops to 40 .Propagation : Peacock flowers are easy to start from seed . Germination will be speeded up if the seeds are nicked with a file before planting . In good growing conditions , peacock flower will self sow and may even be thin .usageFlowers red orange striking an attention grabber ! Use as a specimen or peacock flower in a mixed shrub border . It has an open spreading habit and branches sometimes get too long for their own good and broke up . However , the line of peacock flowers makes a striking smooth textured screen or informal hedge . You can cut the flower peacock to the ground in late winter or early spring to get a bushier , more compact shrub .featuresThere are about 70 species of Caesalpinia in tropical regions around the world . They were previously placed in the genus Poinciana , but the name of the genus is no longer used . We all can not grow tropical , royal poinciana , regarded as the most beautiful tree in the world , but for gardeners in zones 8 and 9 , peacock flower ( aka dwarf poinciana ) is a close second .