About
A subtropical shrub or woody-based perennial, to around 1.5m high in cultivation, with spiny stems and dark green leaves divided into three leaflets. Produces long clusters of striking deep red pea-like flowers from summer into autumn.
About the genus
Erythrina can be deciduous or evergreen subshrubs, shrubs or trees, often spiny, with trifoliate leaves and showy pea-like flowers which may be solitary, or in axillary or terminal racemes
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeSand, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationIn frost-free areas, may be grown outdoors in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun; needs heat to flower well, so a position against a sunny wall is ideal. Plants often die back over winter and should be protected with a thick mulch. In colder areas, grow in a peat-free, loam-based compost in a temperate greenhouse, or in containers that can be moved indoors over winter
PruningPruning group 1; restrictive pruning may be required if grown under glass
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, or by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, both will need bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs when grown under glass
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)