The Pride of Barbados is one of the most beautiful tropical plants for the home landscape. As the name suggests, it is the national tree of Barbados the island paradise in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles.
The Pride of Barbados is known botanically as Caesalpinia pulcherrima and is in the pea family. It is native to the West Indies and has a host of common names, like Barbados Pride, Peacock Flower, Red Bird of Paradise, Barbados Flower Fence and the last one, Dwarf Poinciana, which to me tells the true story of its beauty.
In the Caribbean you will also find the Royal Poinciana also called Flamboyant tree, known botanically as Delonix regia. It is site that will give lasting memories. Thus the Pride of Barbados is so spectacular with fiery red/orange and yellow blooms it looks as though it is a dwarf version of the Royal Poinciana, a real compliment.
The official Pride of Barbados has incredibly showy blossoms of orange and red, there are however yellow versions and pink ones as well. The individual flowers are cupped-shaped, 2-3 inches across, with five crinkled, red and yellow/orange petals, and ten prominent bright red stamens. The shrub reaches slightly over 7-foot tall and is dazzling for months.
Outside of Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Arizona and California, you may have to hunt for plants or seeds. Seeds are always easy to find, while mail order plants are a little tougher. Seeds are normally started indoors. The seeds are very hard so a little scratching with sandpaper will allow for quicker and better water penetration and thus germination.
The tropical plan grows best outside in full sun as a showy thriller plant in a mixed container or plant in the landscape into very well-drained soil. In a more humid rainy environment, consider planting on raised beds for drainage. Pay attention and you may be able to harvest dried seeds for planting in subsequent years.
The Pride of Barbados has fine textured foliage that is reminiscent of a mimosa and might cause you to think it is not tough in the summer sun. This is simply not the case and as I watched them perform day after day in high winds, coupled with triple-digit heat indices in Texas. Lantanas, castor bean and ornamental grasses all make wonderful companions.
In addition to the Pride of Barbados, there are two other species welcome in most gardens. Keep your eyes open for plants or seeds of the Desert Bird of Paradise bush, Caesalpinia gilliesii, with yellow flowers and long red stamens and the showy golden yellow flowered Mexican Bird of Paradise bush, Caesalpinia mexicana. Both can be grown as annuals.
