Red Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)

Beautiful to see,
poisonous to eat, it loves
the desert sunshine.

~ carliewired

A member of the pea family, this deciduous, flowering shrub is a wonder to behold. Its blossoms are so colourful with red, orange and yellow in a spire. The birds, bees and butterflies love it. It grows wild in Texas, Mexico, and parts of Arizona and California. I'm told it is easy to grow from seed. One has to collect the dried pods from the plant when they turn brown. Scuff the seeds and soak them overnight. Plant in peat pots to start, then transfer the pots to the garden. The Red Bird of Paradise thrives in the sun and is heat resistant and drought tolerant. It is the perfect plant for xeriscape gardening.