It’s July. It’s hot. All our plants are hunkered down, wilting in the afternoon, barely hanging on waiting for cooler weather. But what can we grow in our gardens that laughs at the heat and loves to show off all summer long?
The Good...Caesalpinia pulcherrima
With common names of Poinciana, Mexican Bird of Paradise, Pride of Barbados and Red Bird of Paradise, this heat loving plant draws oohs and aahs from all who see it. This summer-friendly addition to our gardens is available in local nurseries (I’ve even seen it at Home Depot!), but better yet, is very easily started from seed. Find the hottest, sunniest spot in your yard... seriously.
This plant does poorly in shade, gets leggy and bloom is reduced. I start mine by scooping out a shallow depression in the soil and scattering in 8-10 seeds, covered lightly by soil. A small coffee can of water once a day, and you will see sprouts in about a week. The plants in my yard grow at least three feet or more every summer. They freeze to the ground in winter, but not to worry. A layer of mulch protects them. All mine came back this year and if they survived our 10 degree winter, they will survive anything. Along about the middle of May start looking for new growth, and depending on our spring weather, they should sprout thru the mulch by the end of May. Collect seeds from the large pods that will form in late summer, and you will have a ready supply to share with all your neighbors! A more cold-tolerant, yellow-flowered cultivar is available. Caesalpinia gilliesii is a fave of Viv’s, my gardening neighbor up the street. Her yellow variety sprouted up much earlier this spring than my reds. OK, she gave me some seed so I don’t have to wait so long. Whichever you choose, you CAN’T GO WRONG! Well, the one thing you can do wrong is over-watering. Don’t do that. These plants are naturalized in Texas in spots where there is no water other than that from the skies. Stick one of these in the ground this summer & be happy!
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