The mexican bird of paradise has brilliant red and orange clusters that are sure to catch your eye

EXOTIC PLANTS HOME

The Mexican Bird of Paradise , otherwise referred to as the Red Bird of Paradise, Dwarf Poinciana, Flamboyan-de-jardin, Peacock Flower, Poinciana, and the Pride of Barbados, and is a shrub that “struts its stuff” in summer landscapes.

This shrub has the most brilliant red and orange clusters that are sure to catch your eye as you drive around in Yuma. The fiery clusters decorate medians, the front of businesses, and even your neighbor’s yard. During the summer months you will find this beautiful shrub everywhere you look with the crimson flowers framed against green feathery leaves.

Once these hearty plants are established, they survive on very little water. This exquisite shrub is hacked to the ground during the winter months by too many people.

They do not require severe pruning, and when the shrub is hacked, the plant will require more water due to the large amount of re-growth that is necessary.

The shurb can reach a mature height of 4 to 10 feet by 4 to 6 feet. It is perfectly acceptable to cut the plants within 2 feet of the ground towards the end of January, if you feel that it is required.

In order to reinvigorate the plant, it is advisable to remove winter damage or dead wood. The spent flowering stalks can be removed at any time.

The Mexican should be planted in full sun in the spring once all of the dangers of frost have past. This plant grows extremely well in any well-drained soil, such as rocky native soil, and can even be found growing in lawns.

In order to plant the shrub, you should dig a hole that is three or four times wider than the container and just as deep.

A generous layer of compost or mulch should be added to the backfill. The plant should then be placed in the hole slightly higher than the soil line. Then fill the hole by gently pressing the soil to remove any air pockets.

Mulch the roots, but do not allow the mulch to come into contact with the bark. Thoroughly water the plant, and then every three to four days for a period of two to three weeks. After this time, the plant can be watered every four or five days for the first summer.

The Mexican Bird of Paradise can be planted as an informal hedge, in groups, or planted as a boundary for a spectacular summer show. It is better planted against southern and western walls, in hot barren spots, and around pools where the reflected heat is more intense.

They make an excellent shrub to plant in large containers. They can be planted with summering flowering perennials and shrubs such as lantana, oleander, and salvia.

Yellow Birds of Paradise, otherwise known as Caesalpinia gilliesii give a slightly different appearance and look fabulous when added to your line of Mexican Birds of Paradise.

Whilst you will see Mexican Birds of Paradise on every corner, when having yellow birds incorporated into your reds, you will be the envy of the neighborhood.

The Mexican Bird of Paradise has also been used by medicine men in the Amazon Rainforest for medicinal uses. The juice from the leaves is said to cure fever, the juice from the flower is said to cure sores, and the seeds cure a bad cough, breathing difficulties, and chest pains.

mexican bird of paradise