Description
Form: Shrub.
Leaf retention: Deciduous.
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid.
Mature Size: 5-10' (1.5-3m) tall and wide.
Flowers: Yellow, orange and red petals with long red stamens.
Bloom: Spring, summer, and fall.
Fruit: Seed pods which open unexpectedly when dried, scattering bean-like seeds.
Leaves: Small green leaflets.
Stems: Sharp thorns.
Roots: A nitrogen-fixing legume*.
Wildlife: The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Toxic / Danger: Thorns. The seeds are toxic. The rest of the plant is mildly poisonous.
Origin: Central America, Caribbean.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 8b-12. This plant may die to the ground in zones 8b-9a and recover from its roots in the spring.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Drought tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun. A southern exposure is needed in zones 8b-9a.
Soil: Well draining, pH 6.1-8.5 (slightly acidic to alkaline). *Do not use a nitrogen fertilizer.
Water once established: Once or twice a month to weekly depending upon appearance.
Mulch: Heavily in fall to protect roots where winter freezes occur.
Prune: Remove winter damage after the last frost. Some gardeners cut this plant to the ground in late fall and allow it to regrow from its roots in the spring. Flowers bloom on new wood.
Litter: Low: seeds and empty seedpods.
Propagation: Seed.
Uses: Ornamental.

Comments

This plant is a member of the Legume family (Fabaceae). The cultivated variety 'Phoenix Bird' has pure yellow flowers without a trace of red. The butterfly in the picture is a Pipevine Swallowtail.

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