A flamboyant tree
Who wants a 30-foot umbrella tree with 4-inch wide brilliant red blossoms? A man named Phillippe de Longvilliers de Poincy did think people would want just such a tree so he introduced the Royal Poinciana to America.
A native of Madagascar, The Delonix Regia, a species of flowering plant, from the family of Fbaceae, the Royal Poinciana tree is the one for you. It is also called Flame of the Forest, Culmohar and several other uncommon names. No matter all of its other names it is a spectacular specimen tree that is easy to grow.
A young tree may need to be protected from a frost. It does not need any special fertilization, in fact hardly any. It is not particular about the soil it grows in. It will even bloom more spectacular, in May, if the sprinklers are not used during the two months prior. The older it gets, the more it blooms.
Blossoms will last 4-8 weeks. Its deciduous life style will allow the winter sun to filter thru to a fine bed of tropical flowers or plants, under its canopy. Grass will also grow well at its feet, but who needs thirsty grass. The tree is only deciduous about 2 months.
A young tree may not bloom, for 2 or 3 years. It will also grow as wide as it grows tall. As it begins to mature its drooping limbs will lift up and form the lovely mounding umbrella shape forever. The tree is also salt tolerant if it is not planted close to salt water, or salt spray.
Pruning may be done lightly on a young tree if it looks like there too many branches. Prune the branches just below the crown. If there are not a lot of them, do not prune at all. Remember you want the umbrella look.
The Cape has a tree here and there, left over from the early days when they were used in new landscapes. The biggest one I have seen this year is located on Pelican Boulevard. It is near the ball park on Pelican, north of Cape Coral Parkway. You cannot miss its brilliant red blossoms as the tree takes up half of the front yard. You will see why this tree needs a lot of space to flourish.
I have never seen a Royal Poinciana tree for sale in any of the box stores, if they are not popular sellers even the plant nursery’s may not carry many.
There is a smaller Poinciana tree, with yellow flowers. Propagation is by seed. I know that I heard that local weathermen say we were going to be getting some rain this week. No rain anywhere near me as I am writing this. A friend in the southeast Cape did report a few sprinkles. I hope by the time you are reading this we will all have had a well-needed shower.
In the meantime check everything for dryness. It seems that too many things have gotten bone dry, too fast the past week. My tomato plants are doing well, I do enjoy picking the bright red veggies right from the vine. I do not plant them in the soil, rather I pot them in the big black plastic pots from the nursery. NEVER throw those pots out after you have removed your new plants. They are great for tomatoes and pepper plants.
Herbs are something I do not do well. Herbs that I buy I have to use up fast, they do not last long around here in a pot. The many suggestions I get from my gardening friends are lost on me and I just cannot keep them growing very long.
Check to make sure that something that was in the shade two weeks ago is still in the shade. The sun is moving now and before you know it a shade plant may be in the direct sun.
Any Poinsettias that you have planted this year will need a good 3-4 inches of pruning now. More pruning later on this summer. Caladiums should be coming up now, I have two pots full from last year. The soil ones are slow this spring, probably due to the dryness of their bed. They are so carefree and colorful.
Keep the hats and sunscreen on, a small price to pay for our lovely tropical plants and lifestyle.
Happy gardening till we meet again.
H. Jean Shields
Past President of the
Garden Club of Cape Coral