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    • Photo of Erythrina crista-galli flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Photo by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Erythrina crista-galli

    Also Known As

    • Cockspur Coral Tree
    • Crybaby Tree
    • Fireman's Cap

    Plant type

    tree, shrub

    size

    • H: 15'-20'
    • W: 15'-20'

    planting zones

    • 9a-11

    More Options

    Erythrina crista-galli plant details

    Erythrina crista-galli is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous shrub or tree with green foliage. In fall, spring and summer red flowers emerge. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Erythrina crista-galli

    Plant type: shrub or tree
    Plant family: fabaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 15 FT - 20 FT - wide, 15 FT - 20 FT - tall
    Flowers: red blooms in fall, spring and summer
    Uses: long-blooming, showy, small tree, unique

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Erythrina crista-galli

    USDA Zones: 9a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: heat
    Soil needs: average and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    In colder areas this will grow like a perennial shrub, in warmer areas like a small tree, but in either case the flowers, like sunset in a cluster or ?waxen sweet-peas? (Hillier) will amaze you! S/M/GDr/Winter protect

    By: Forestfarm

    Huge spikes of deep coral-red blooms are borne in cycles throughout summer. Fast growing and quickly becoming a large bush or small tree. Seldom offered in the trade. The Crybaby or Cockspur Coral Tree is a beautiful and heat loving deciduous tropical looking small tree with good drought tolerance and is slightly salt tolerant. The Crybaby Tree is considered by many to be hardy only into zone 9 but if the trunk is protected until it can grow to 4-6" in diameter it can tolerate extended periods of freezing temperatures and has gone through extended temperatures in the low teens in our gardens. In late winter we generally remove everything that is obviously dead and in some winters this may be practically everything back to the large trunk but it will quickly regrow and flowers for us from mid to late spring and into fall.

    By: Almost Eden

    We received seed for this spectacular & showy tree from Eloise Bouye of Campbell, CA, who started her own from seed 25 years ago, which has been thriving ever since. A fast growing & undemanding beauty, it’s tolerant of heat & drought, & develops into a 20’ tall tree with a branching & wide habit. Gargantuan red pea-flowers in foot-long racemes appear over a long period in summer and make a car-stopping, hummingbird-happy show. Summer water will make for a nicer looking tree, but this species is actually DROUGHT TOLERANT, & can stand the heat to boot. Moderately frost sensitive, but I’ve seen enough Erythrinas growing happily around the bay that I know that it’s do-able, & have been impressed by their splendor enough to know it’s worth doing! In colder zones this species will sometimes freeze to the ground & return as a small shrub each year. Watch out for prickles! Deciduous in Winter.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Gardening facts about Erythrina crista-galli plant

    How to Grow Erythrina crista-galli

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • red

    • Wildlife

      • hummingbirds

    • Flower Season

      • fall
      • summer
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

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