Caesalpinia gilliesii

RHS Plant Profile
bird of paradise

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Other common names

crimson threadflower, poinciana

Synonyms

Caesalpinia gilliesii

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Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs
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A large evergreen shrub or small tree, with 2-pinnate leaves composed of tiny oblong leaflets, and showy yellow flowers 3cm across, with long crimson stamens

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
A genus of flowering plants, native to tropical and subtropical America with feathery green foliage and exotic yellow flowers with long red stamens
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Chile to Uruguay

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in full sun in a frost-free area in moist but well-drained soil. Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Plants under glass may need a restrictive prune after the first flush of flowers

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free