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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

    Show all photos

    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

    See other plant types of Erythrina for your garden

    Erythrina zeyheri

    aka Plough Breaker

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    8a-10b

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 2'-3'

    • sun
    • low - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Erythrina zeyheri flower by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    Erythrina x bidwillii

    aka Hybrid Coral Bean

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    7b-10b

    Size

    Height: 6'-12'

    Width: 8'

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Erythrina x bidwillii flower by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    More Options

    Erythrina lysistemon

    aka Common Coral Tree, Lucky Bean Tree

    Plant Type

    Tree

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 15'-30'

    Width: 15'-30'

    • sun
    • regular - low
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Erythrina lysistemon flower by gailhampshire
    View Plant

    More Options

    Erythrina humeana

    aka Natal Coral Tree

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 5'-10'

    Width: 5'

    • sun
    • regular
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Erythrina humeana flower by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    More Options

    Erythrina caffra

    aka Coast Coral Tree

    Plant Type

    Tree

    Zones

    9b-11

    Size

    Height: 20'-40'

    Width: 25'-35'

    • sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Erythrina caffra form by Andrew Higgs
    View Plant

    More Options

    +8 more Erythrina
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